COLUMBUS — 2023 marked a memorable first year for the Columbus Crew under new head coach Wilfried Nancy and it concluded with an MLS Cup triumph against the reigning league champions.
The Crew used first-half goals from Cucho Hernandez and Yaw Yeboah to seal a 2-1 MLS Cup victory over LAFC at Lower.com Field. It marked the third MLS Cup triumph and seventh overall trophy lift in Crew history.
Denis Bouanga cut the deficit for LAFC in the second half, but Steve Cherundolo’s squad were unable to score a tying goal past Patrick Schulte.
After earlier missed chances from Steven Moreira and Cucho Hernandez, the Crew boosted themselves in front after the 30-minute mark.
Hernandez’s 33rd penalty kick gave the hosts a 1-0 advantage. Diego Rossi’s flicked pass deflected off of Diego Palacios’ hand, giving referee Armando Villarreal no choice but to whistle for a hand ball.
It marked Hernandez’s 20th goal of the season in league play.
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Four minutes after grabbing the lead, the Crew would extend their advantage to 2-0. Malte Amundsen’s clever through ball pass allowed Yaw Yeboah to sneak behind Ryan Hollingshead before poking home into the back of the net.
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Carlos Vela’s volley in the 57th minute forced Patrick Schulte into his first save of the night. Rudy Camacho’s errant header almost allowed the Mexican attacker to cut the LAFC deficit, but luckily for Camacho, Vela’s shot was easily gathered by Schulte.
After added pressure from LAFC, the visitors would cut the deficit in half to 2-1 through leading-scorer Denis Bouanga. Bouanga’s scrappy finish from a tight angle gave him his 11th goal scored in his past seven appearances.
Schulte was able to punch away Bouanga’s first effort, but was unable to keep out the striker’s follow-up finish.
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LAFC made several substitutions in hope to find a tying goal, but the Crew backline stood firm for the remainder 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 major way under Nancy’s tutelage.
LAFC will have plenty of roster decisions to make this offseason with star forward Carlos Vela not signed for 2024.
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