But at least two crew members also used the R-word, albeit in a different context.

“Yes, it’s a nice revenge,” said star striker Cucho Hernández, who scored a goal in his team’s 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union in the semifinals and laid the groundwork for another. “I think it will be great fun for us and for the city, and nothing, nothing more.”

For Columbus, this is already the third cup final under Nancy. The last one was on June 1st in the decisive match of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, when they lost 3-0 to CF Pachuca. The Ohioans’ performance was unusually subdued and they announced afterwards that the majority of their traveling party had fallen ill with diarrhea and other symptoms of food poisoning within hours of landing in Mexico.

Combined with the sapping effect of Pachuca’s altitude and the undisputed quality of Los Tuzos, the team was doomed that night, leaving a bitter taste that they will be looking to erase on more familiar ground this weekend.

“What happened in Mexico is unfortunate. I think for me it was unfair, but whatever, I’m not going to talk about it,” said full-back Mohamed Farsi. “The good thing about football is that you always have the opportunity to take revenge. You know, not against the same team, but just for yourself. And yes, we will go there and try to win a trophy and get a bye to the 2025 Champions Cup.”