LAFC suffered a 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew in the 2024 Leagues Cup final. Olivier Giroud scored his first goal for LAFC, equalizing the score at 1-1 early in the second half, but the Crew scored two goals in second-half stoppage time to claim the title.

Columbus took the lead just before halftime when Cucho Hernández, named the 2024 Leagues Cup Player of the Year, headed Mo Farsi’s short cross past Hugo Lloris to give the home side a 1-0 halftime lead.

LAFC equalized just before the 60th minute when Giroud, making his first start for the club, scored for the first time in an LAFC jersey. A shot from Denis Bouanga deflected and a corner kick was awarded, and Mateusz Bogusz found Giroud at the far post with the resulting corner. Giroud’s header skimmed past Columbus goalkeeper Nicho Hagen’s diving effort and hit the post, tying the score at 1-1.

It stayed that way until the second minute of stoppage time when Hernández struck again. The Colombian striker received the ball on the left wing and crossed into the middle of the six-yard box, which found its way into the net and put Columbus back in front.

Columbus scored a third goal two minutes later: Hernández passed to Jacen Russell-Rowe, who completed a two-on-one counterattack to give the Crew a 3-1 victory.

LAFC returns to action on Wednesday, August 28, when the club will look to qualify for a second final in 2024 by facing the Seattle Sounders in the semifinals of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. That match will be played at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. PT and can be watched for free on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.