The Crew put on an impressive performance in the Leagues Cup semifinals, rolling over Philadelphia Union 3-1 to book their ticket to the grand finals where they will face the fearsome LAFC, and also secured a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.

You can’t talk about this semifinal without mentioning Diego Rossi. The guy joined Columbus Crew like he was quietly sneaking into a party, but quickly became the life of the party. Rossi opened the scoring with a header – yes, a header – from a 5’7″ guy. Nobody expected that. And as if that wasn’t enough, he added another before halftime after a beautiful pass from Christian Ramirez. Honestly, Rossi and Cucho Hernández turn the defense into Swiss cheese. Every time Rossi touches the ball, it’s like the game slows down. And Cucho? The Colombian has a flair for goals that sends shivers down anyone’s spine.

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But wait, Philadelphia Union is no pushover. Dániel Gazdag tried to spoil the Crew’s party by taking advantage of a stupid defensive error to tie the game. His joy didn’t last long, however. Rossi was hungry for more and not only regained the lead, but made Union look like amateurs compared to the Crew.

Columbus’ victory was not just down to luck or outstanding individual talent. Wilfried Nancy has assembled a team that plays with surgical precision. It’s as if Nancy is giving a master class in modern soccer. Columbus doesn’t just play to win – they play to dominate.

It’s crazy to think about how far Columbus has come. Just a few years ago they were in the shadow of the MLS giants. If you told someone they would be ready to face LAFC in the Leagues Cup final today, you probably would have laughed.

Credit where it’s due – Wilfried Nancy deserves it all. The man is a born strategist. It’s not just about winning games; it’s about building a winning mentality. Nancy understands that football isn’t just about statistics and numbers – it’s about moments. It’s about creating a story that will stay with fans for years to come.

But let’s be honest: This final against LAFC is shaping up to be an absolute thriller. And it’s not just because both teams are in top form. There’s a new rivalry brewing that’s adding even more spice to the duel. LAFC, which has outshone everyone in its path, is out for blood after its MLS Cup loss to Columbus. Denis Bouanga, their top scorer, has already shown he can carry the team. But once again, the Crew have home field advantage. And the power that comes with that just can’t be overlooked. At Lower.com Field, the Crew don’t just play – they demand respect.

There’s more at stake in this final than just the League Cup. The winner will secure a direct place in the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup. There’s much more at stake than just lifting a trophy.

So who will stop the Columbus Crew? With Rossi and Cucho so well-matched, it’s hard to imagine anyone being able to slow down this unstoppable offense. The players’ confidence is boundless. Each win makes them hungrier and more determined to prove that this winning streak is no fluke. Columbus isn’t just on a winning streak – they’re building an era. An era that may go down as one of the most dominant in recent MLS history.