Columbus Crew Win 3rd Major League Soccer Title with 2-1 Victory Over LAFC

The Columbus Crew won their third Major League Soccer title after beating Los Angeles FC 2-1 in the MLS Cup final.

Columbus Crew secured their third Major League Soccer title by defeating Los Angeles FC 2-1 in the MLS Cup final on Saturday. The team, coached by little-known Frenchman Wilfried Nancy, dominated the game for long stretches, preventing Steve Cherundolo's LAFC from unleashing their trademark counter-attacks.

The Crew's victory was sealed with a penalty from Cucho Hernandez and a goal from Yaw Yeboah, giving them a 2-0 lead at halftime. Although Denis Bouanga managed to pull a goal back for LAFC in the 74th minute, it wasn't enough to secure the win.

The game may have marked the final appearance for former Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini and possibly the last game for LAFC's Mexican star Carlos Vela. The reigning champions were convincingly beaten by Columbus, who showcased significant improvement throughout the season under Nancy's leadership.

Nancy, who won his first major title as a coach in his debut season with Columbus, expressed pride in his team's growth and development. He emphasized the importance of enjoying the game and the remarkable progress they've made, stating, "Guys, impossible is an opinion - just enjoy it and we're gonna grow."

Columbus displayed their possession game, settling into their rhythm with the calming influence of veteran midfielder Darlington Nagbe. Despite a frantic start, they capitalized on a fortunate penalty to take the lead, followed by a goal of perfect simplicity. The Crew fans, who had been chanting in the stadium for hours before kickoff, were ecstatic, while LAFC struggled to create opportunities.

The game saw moments of encouragement for LAFC, with Bouanga managing to get his team back into the game with a swift reaction to a parried shot. However, Columbus responded positively, holding firm in the final minutes to secure their third title.

Chiellini acknowledged Columbus' deserved victory, emphasizing the beauty of the journey and expressing pride in their accomplishments. Overall, Columbus outperformed LAFC, showcasing their dominance and earning a well-deserved victory.