Columbus Crew - LAFC live online updates, score and stats | Leagues Cup
Columbus Crew - LAFC: Live updates
Referee Oshane Nation has a word with Cucho and Atuesta, trying to cool things down.
Diego Rossi takes the free kick but it's a poor one, easily booted clear at the near post.
Boos ring around the stadium as Cucho Hernandez is bounced into the advertising boards by a strong tackle from Murillo.
There's a bit of afters now between Cucho and Atuesta.
The Crew win a free kick on the edge of the LAFC box. Good spot for a cross...
More good hold-up play from Giroud, this time combining with Atuesta. That's the only way for LAFC to get out at the moment.
Eduard Atuesta
Second booking of the game goes to the LAFC midfielder for a late challenge on Darlington Nagbe. A bit of frustration showing there.
Sumptuous touch from Giroud to trap a long ball and bring Bogusz into the game. The Pole charges into the Crew box but Farsi does brilliantly to get back and rob him of the ball.
We're back underway after that water break. No discernible changes to either team, but we'll see how things develop.
Both teams will need to take on fluids in these sweltering summer conditions in Columbus, but it's also a chance for the coaches to offer some advice to their teams.
Nancy, in particular, is frantically moving magnets around on his tactics board.
Cooling break
After a bit of confusion as both benches awaited the pre-agreed cooling break. Referee Oshane Nation acquiesces.
Denis Bouanga and Malte Amundsen battle for a ball together near the Crew corner flag. The LAFC forward wins his team a throw-in, a chance for them to get a rest.
LAFC are forced to fly into a couple of strong tackles on the edge of their own box to prevent Cucho making it through. The visitors are looking stretched now.
Columbus Crew really starting to take control now, enjoying long spells of possession in the LAFC half.
The corner kick is cleared but lands at the feet of Darlington Nagbe.
The Crew captain takes aim but his volley bounces just wide of the post.
More good work from Cucho, leading the Crew forward in a swift counter-attack. Murillo gets back to disrupt his run and LAFC get defenders back to block the shot from Arfsten.
Columbus corner kick...
First opening for Columbus Crew
The Crew build in midfield and find the feet of Cucho Hernandez, dropping deep. The Columbus No. 9 curls a brilliant through-ball towards Ramirez at the back post, but it's poked wide by a recovering defender.
First moment of real quality from Cucho!
Brilliant from Zawadzki to win the ball off Bogusz and get his team back on the offensive. LAFC are struggling to get out of their own half here.
Or is that just what they want you to think?
Late challenge from Giroud, overly eager to pinch the ball off Sean Zawadzki in the midfield.
It's getting a bit scrappy now.
The cross Rossi causes panic in the LAFC defence and there are appeals for a penalty kick as the ball bounces up and strikes a defender. Referee Oshane Nation waves away the protestations.
Columbus Crew win a free kick on the right flank, just yards from the touchline. A chance for Rossi to deliver with quality...
Ilie Sanchez is lucky to escape a booking for a late challenge on Darlington Nagbe. The Crew want a yellow card, and they might have a point there.
Another look at the two teams...
Here's the starting XI for LAFC and the Columbus Crew in Leagues Cup final.
While Atuesta is down receiving treatment, Wilfried Nancy beckons Darlington Nagbe over the the touchline and issues instructions. The Columbus boss is wasted no time.
Rudy Camacho
The Crew defender is booked for that late challenge on Atuesta. That's a concern for Columbus, with Camacho up against Bouanga on that flank.
The corner kick is a good one but it's headed clear. Columbus regain possession but there's a foul on Eduard Atuesta.
Free kick to LAFC.
A speculative shot from Darlington Nagbe is deflected behind for a corner kick.
Diego Rossi to take...
Aaron Long pulls back Cucho Hernandez in front of the technical areas. The Columbus captain hurls his arms in frustration but he wins the free kick.
LAFC have chance to break with Bouanga but he's crowded out on the halfway line.
Interestingly, Bouanga seems to be playing on the right for LAFC, with Bogusz stationed on the left. Switched sides for the LAFC widemen.
Brilliant interplay from Cucho and Farsi on the left flank for Columbus. They fashion some space for a shot but it's overhit by Cucho.
The free kick is close to the touchline, a good crossing position.
LAFC take it short to Bouanga but the Golden Boot holder can't make space for a shot. A chance wasted.
Powerful run from Bogusz down the left. He's clipped by Moreira as he approaches the Crew box.
Free kick to LAFC on the left.
LAFC look to pounce on a loose ball in the heart of the Crew defence. The hosts manage to clear, but they were put under pressure there.
Incredible noise from the Columbus fans, a really great atmosphere from the off.
LAFC are looking to get into Columbus from the off, making life difficult as the MLS Cup champs try to build through the middle. Giroud, impressively, organising the press from the front.
As expected, it's a fast-paced start with the Crew looking to play through the LAFC lines. Smoke drifts across the field.
And we're off!
The Crew gets things underway in Ohio...
What a noise!
As is traditional, the Crew faithful serenade their team with this Elvis Presley classic. If that doesn't inspire them...
First up, the national anthem
The national anthem of the United States will be sung by Ohio natives, Welshly Arms.
The team's are out!
Everyone in Lower.com Field is on their feet to greet the players of Columbus Crew and LAFC.
There's tifo. There's smoke. There's a fiery atmosphere to kick-start the Leagues Cup final!
Olivier Giroud ready for first LAFC start
The Frenchman only landed in the US earlier this month and he's already leading the line in a final! Olivier Giroud was given the nod by head coach Steve Cherundolo and he'll be desperate to have an impact.
Marching band takes to the field!
The first bit of on-field begins with a rousing performance from the Ohio State Marching Band. It's a high-octane start to the spectacle. Let's hope the sporting action can live up to that!
Manage to get a ticket for the 2024 Leagues Cup final? Presumably not, if you're ready this.
Here's how much the lucky fans in Lower.com Field tonight may have paid for the privilege...
Crew boss relishing Leagues Cup challenge
"This is something that we try to put when I took the team – to have a vision but also to think big and to achieve small things to write a legacy…The small steps that we've been putting all the time and we are still doing it, this is why I think that we for the moment are a winning team."
"This is not about the results. Winning team, for me, this is about the mentality that we have. Hopefully, it’s going to keep going, but I'm really proud of what we are doing here."
MLS Cup champs take to the field
Columbus Crew are out on the turf at Lower.com Field, beginning their warm-up ahead of the Leagues Cup final.
There's around 25 minutes to go until kick-off. The tension is rising now...
Who will win the Leagues Cup Golden Boot?
Tonight’s game sees two previous winners of the MLS Golden Boot go head-to-head. In 2020 Columbus’s Diego Rossi, then playing for LAFC, was crowned the league’s sharpest shooter. Now, Denis Bouanga is looking to retain his title from 2023. Fittingly, both players are tied at the top of the Leagues Cup scoring charts for 2024 with six goals apiece. Which will come out on top today?
Across the two-year stint of Leagues Cup in its new, expanded format, Bouanga is the record scorer. He recently overtook Lionel Messi, who struck ten goals in his incredible 2023 Leagues Cup-winning run.
Columbus Crew get home advantage for tonight's Leagues Cup final. But why?
Here's everything you need to know about the points ranking system for the 2024 Leagues Cup...
Steve Cherundolo's team are hitting form. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The treble is on for LAFC
LAFC can reach a second final of the year within the next few days. They will play an Open Cup semi-final on Wednesday, August 28, on the road against the Seattle Sounders. They are now 22-5-6 in all competitions in 2024. The club is 14-5-5 in MLS play, 3-0-0 in the U.S. Open Cup and now 5-0-1 in Leagues Cup.
And, of course, don't rule them out for MLS Cup later this year.
Confirmed Columbus Crew team news!
Here it is, the starting XI selected by Wilfried Nancy.
As mentioned, the big news is the absence of USMTN goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. Nicholas Hagen starts in his place.
Columbus is alive for Leagues Cup final!
What a sight! The city of Columbus has seen plenty of success in the past 18 months and the Crew support are looking to add to their trophy cabinet this evening. We could be in for a cracking atmosphere at Lower.com Field!
LAFC boss ready for Columbus Crew challenge
“I just think there were not great moments [when] we have played them. We didn't have good performances. I'm not concerned about matchups or tactics."
"It's all pretty clear. It's about individual performances. The first two matches against them, we had some poor ones and the other night [against Colorado] we had great ones.”
Goalkeeping change for Columbus Crew
More big team news! It looks like Columbus Crew will go for back-up keeper Nicholas Hagen between the sticks this evening, starting ahead of USMNT stopper Patrick Schulte.
More on that as we get it...
Olivier Giroud plays for LAFC
Confirmation of the big news ahead of kick-off. Olivier Giroud makes his first start for LAFC, coming in the final of the Leagues Cup.
Wilfried Nancy pays tribute to Diego Rossi
Diego Rossi is in the running to clinch the Golden Boot at the 2024 Leagues Cup, with six goals from just four appearances in this year's competition. Speaking ahead of the final, Wilfried Nancy was full of praise for the Crew forward.
The Columbus head coach said: "Diego is an example of the day-to-day work, the humility to do the job and the humility to do the dirty job. And also, he’s coachable."
"He’s a really good example in terms of work ethic and of a leadership, a quiet leadership. This is also something that I like with Diego."
LAFC look for revenge against Columbus Crew
Nine months on from the 2023 MLS Cup, Columbus Crew and LAFC meet again in another major tournament final. The Crew and LAFC played out a fascinating final last year, with Wilfried Nancy’s side carving out an impressive 2-1 victory over the reigning holders. Can LAFC get their own back tonight? They certainly boast the attacking threat to give any team in MLS major headaches…
Leagues Cup final team news!
We're still awaiting official confirmation, but it looks like this is how the two times will line up this evening.
The big news is that Olivier Giroud looks set to make his first start for LAFC. Will he prove the hero for LAFC tonight?
Will Olivier Giroud start for LAFC?
While we await team news, the central striking spot for LAFC is the main point of contention.
Will Steve Cherundolo stick with Kei Kamara, who scored in the semi-final victory over Colorado Rapids? Or will he opt to give Olivier Giroud his first start in Black and Gold?
“It's certainly possible,” Cherundolo said of a potential start for Giroud. “I guess we'll wait and see.”
Atmosphere heating up in Columbus
We're less than 60 minutes away from kick-off in the 2024 Leagues Cup final and the home crowd is in great voice. Columbus Crew fans saw their team lift MLS Cup against LAFC last year, can they repeat that success against the same opponents?
Kick-off in Columbus is just over an hour away now. Pre-game preparations are well underway at Lower.com Field, have you made yours?
We'll be bringing you full live coverage of Columbus Crew - LAFC right here, but you can also stream the final online. Here's everything you need to know...
RECAP: Diego Rossi brace fires Crew into final
He's one of the undoubted stars of this sparkling Columbus Crew team and Diego Rossi really showed his worth in Wednesday's Leagues Cup semi-final against the Philadelphia Union. Rossi scored twice, the second this stunning individual goal, to put the Crew in the driving seat at Lower.com Field.
RECAP: LAFC breeze past Colorado Rapids in Leagues Cup semi-final
The Black and Gold took a little time to get going in 2024 but, when they're up and running, they are very difficult to stop.
LAFC brushed the Colorado Rapids aside in a comfortable semi-final win earlier this week, with a series of brilliant goals from the 2022 MLS Cup winners.
LAFC take in the sights of Columbus
It's game day, but that doesn't mean that there isn't time for LAFC to enjoy a wonder through the streets of Columbus, Ohio.
Nine months on from their MLS Cup defeat in the same stadium, LAFC are looking for payback and some silverware of their own.
Here's what they're fighting for...
The Leagues Cup. Last year it ended up in the hands of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Which of Columbus Crew and LAFC will became the second team to get their names etched on the revamped Leagues Cup trophy?
And in the other corner...
Few teams in MLS history boast the sort of attacking talent that LAFC have at their disposal. There's reigning Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga. Young star Cristian Oliviera. There's Mateusz Bogusz, with an explosive strike from distance. The evergreen Kei Kamara.
Oh, and the small matter of World Cup winner Olivier Giroud. Tough decisions for head coach Steve Cherundolo...
Anyway, onto the team news.
First up, hosts Columbus Crew. Head coach Wilfried Nancy has been praised for implemented such a clear style of play in his Columbus team; an aggressive, front-foot system that saw them crowned MLS Cup champions in 2023.
However Nancy isn't afraid to rotate his players and has coaxed starring performances from fringe players during his time at the club. What does he have up his sleeve for this evening?
The scene is set in Columbus
Once again, Lower.com Field in Columbus will play host to a major sporting event. Following on from last year's MLS Cup and the 2024 MLS All-Star Game, Columbus Crew will take on LAFC in the final of the Leagues Cup.
The most fervent of Columbus fans will be housed in the famous 'Nordecke' stand, looking to roar their team onto victory against their rivals from the West.
Hello and welcome to our live minute-by-minute coverage of the 2024 Leagues Cup final!
The 47 top flight teams from the United States and Mexico have been whittled down to just two; Columbus Crew and LAFC. We'll have full updates of all the action from Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
I'm Will Gittins, MLS writer for AS USA, and I'll be bringing you the latest news and information. Away we go!