Cucho Hernández dedicates League Cup MVP to “the fans”
League Cup final on Sunday served to reflect once again on the exceptional level that Juan Camilo Hernández since joining the Columbus Crew from Watford in June 2022 on a $10 million contract – a franchise record.
The Colombian, voted best player in last year’s MLS Cup final against the same rivals, was once again decisive for Wilfried Nancy’s men and brought another MVP Award.
Cucho Hernández was crucial for the crew when it mattered most
Cucho scored twice and assisted Jacen Russell-Rowe for the Crew’s third goal in injury time. He finished the tournament with four goals and three assists – Curiously, he only scored his first goal in the quarter-finals. The Colombian striker reaffirmed his importance as a goalscorer and also delivered a masterpiece as a playmaker to win the institution its second trophy in less than a year.
9
The best Leagues Cup goalscorers of all time
- 11 Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC)
- 10 Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
- 7 Bongo Hollow Hlongwane (Minnesota United FC)
- 6 Daniel Gazdagi (Philadelphia Union)
Diego Rossi (Columbus crew) - 5 Tai Baribo (Philadelphia Union)
German Berterame (Monterrey)
Brandon Vazquez (Monterrey)
Santiago Rodriguez (New York City FC)
Cucho Hernández (Columbus crew)
After his key role in the crew MLS Cup Triumph 2023 last December and won the MVP title in the final against LAFC, Cucho is now the sixth highest goalscorer in Leagues Cup history and the fourth to be named MVP.
Lionel Messi received the award last year after winning the tournament with 10 goals and one assist. The Argentine star and Las Garzas participated in the tournament from the group stage, while Columbus Crew, as champions of the North American League, reached the round of 32. Miami has effectively played two more games.
Cucho Hernández wants more
After winning the 2024 Leagues Cup – his second trophy with Columbus – Cucho Hernández is hungry for more success and made the team’s ambitions clear.
“I’m happy for the fans, for my family, they all deserve this. This is my job, I’m glad my teammates enjoy it. The mentality that this team has is something you rarely see in other teams, for example in the comeback against Inter Miami. Today we managed to stop one of the three best players in the league, (Denis) Bouanga“.
Columbus Crew meets Liga MX team America in the Campeones Cup 2024 next Wednesday, September 25, and Hernández is looking forward to the competition: “Thank you to the fans, thank you for coming. See you next month in another final because we have to get the title back..”
