LAFC’s Columbus Crew named ‘favorites’ for Leagues Cup final
Highlights, pictures and sounds from the Nordecke fans of the Columbus Crew
Sing, cheer and dance along with Columbus Crew fans in the north corner during a Leagues Cup quarterfinal match against Philadelphia Union.
When Los Angeles FC reached the Leagues Cup final, the Crew had already secured their spot and home advantage for the game. Knowing this, several LAFC players emphasized their feelings about facing Columbus again, which the Crew heard loud and clear.
Midfielder Ilie Snachez walked past reporters after LAFC’s 4-0 win over the Colorado Rapids in the semifinals and said, “I want you to write that Columbus is the favorite.” Denis Bouanga, LAFC’s leading scorer, acknowledged that the crew felt a sense of “revenge.”
“We understand their point of view and probably their mindset,” Crew forward Christian Ramirez said. “They want us to be considered favorites and stuff like that. So we understand they’re probably using that as extra motivation a little bit. We just have to, like we’ve done before, stay in our lane and be prepared for their best.”
The last time LAFC was at Lower.com Field, it was the MLS Cup final and they were favorites to win the title. But Columbus left the field as 2023 champions after a 2-1 win. In July, the Crew traveled to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and ended LAFC’s 13-game winning streak at home with a 5-1 victory.
It was a crucial game in Columbus’ regular season schedule.
“It definitely helps to see them beforehand,” said Crew captain Darlington Nagbe. “Obviously, you don’t want to see an opponent in the finals for the first time. I think for us, it’s great to play against them no matter how the game turns out, but to see how they play, what they like to do and what traits certain players have.”
The defeat in front of their home crowd is one reason why Los Angeles feels like the underdog.
“I saw that they are the team to beat right now,” Sanchez said. “Obviously, they beat us in the last game we played against them. I guess that’s the feeling you all have and that you probably have right now too.”
In the final, it was forward Cucho Hernandez and midfielder Yaw Yeboah who scored both goals for Columbus. Ramirez was the Crew’s most important player in their match against LAFC this season, scoring two goals and seems to have secured a place in the starting lineup.
But despite currently having the advantage and feeling like an underdog, Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy has warned his players not to underestimate Los Angeles, acknowledging that the previous two encounters were difficult to win.
In addition, LAFC has strengthened its lineup and added European football champion Olivier Giroud to the rotation since he became an option following the opening of the second transfer window in late July.
“I think everyone in this country knows what they have and how good their team is,” Ramirez said. “They do things a little bit differently to us, but they are just as determined and have that killer instinct in (Denis) Bouanga and (Mateusz) Bogusz and now Giroud. So you are never safe from them.”
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