COLUMBUS — 2023 marked a memorable first yr for the Columbus Crew beneath new head coach Wilfried Nancy and it concluded with an MLS Cup triumph in opposition to the reigning league champions.
The Crew used first-half objectives from Cucho Hernandez and Yaw Yeboah to seal a 2-1 MLS Cup victory over LAFC at Decrease.com Discipline. It marked the third MLS Cup triumph and seventh general trophy carry in Crew historical past.
Denis Bouanga minimize the deficit for LAFC within the second half, however Steve Cherundolo’s squad had been unable to attain a tying objective previous Patrick Schulte.
After earlier missed probabilities from Steven Moreira and Cucho Hernandez, the Crew boosted themselves in entrance after the 30-minute mark.
Hernandez’s thirty third penalty kick gave the hosts a 1-0 benefit. Diego Rossi’s flicked go deflected off of Diego Palacios’ hand, giving referee Armando Villarreal no alternative however to whistle for a hand ball.
It marked Hernandez’s twentieth objective of the season in league play.
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4 minutes after grabbing the lead, the Crew would lengthen their benefit to 2-0. Malte Amundsen’s intelligent via ball go allowed Yaw Yeboah to sneak behind Ryan Hollingshead earlier than poking residence into the again of the online.
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Carlos Vela’s volley within the 57th minute compelled Patrick Schulte into his first save of the evening. Rudy Camacho’s errant header virtually allowed the Mexican attacker to chop the LAFC deficit, however fortunately for Camacho, Vela’s shot was simply gathered by Schulte.
After added strain from LAFC, the guests would minimize the deficit in half to 2-1 via leading-scorer Denis Bouanga. Bouanga’s scrappy end from a good angle gave him his eleventh objective scored in his previous seven appearances.
Schulte was in a position to punch away Bouanga’s first effort, however was unable to maintain out the striker’s follow-up end.
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LAFC made a number of substitutions in hope to discover a tying objective, however the Crew backline stood agency for the rest of the match.
The Crew’s title success now earns them a berth into the newly-revamped 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. After back-to-back seasons with no playoff involvement, the Crew responded in a significant manner beneath Nancy’s tutelage.
LAFC may have loads of roster selections to make this offseason with star ahead Carlos Vela not signed for 2024.