LEAGUES CUP
Steve Cherundolo’s LAFC relishing rematch against Columbus Crew
Los Angeles FC and the Crew meet again in a final. Cherundolo’s men will be seeking revenge after losing last year’s MLS Cup final to the Black and Gold.
Los Angeles FC outplayed the Colorado Rapids in Wednesday’s 2024 Leagues Cup semifinal at BMO Stadium. Mateusz Bogus and Kei Kamara put Los Angeles 2-0 up late in the first half before Dénis Bouanga and Lewis O’Brien sentenced the game after the break.
In doing so, LAFC achieved two things - they will contest the trophy with the Columbus Crew in the final on Sunday and are also guaranteed one of the three berths in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup (the Leagues Cup winners, runners-up and third-placed teams all qualify).
LAFC’s busy schedule ahead
After the match, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo spoke about what it means to his team to be competing for another trophy and facing the reigning league champions again.
“Getting to a final is very difficult,” Cherundolo began. “There were 47 teams in the tournament and it’s very difficult to get to a final whether we have a busy schedule or not. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, qualifying for the Concacaf Champions Cup and lifting another trophy is the cherry on top. I don’t know if it feels different, but there’s fatigue in the legs, just like other teams feel when they go far in a tournament.
“I think the downsides are coming because we play on Sunday and then Wednesday in Seattle and travel thousands of miles,” the coach added, referring to the US Open Cup semifinal against the Sounders next week. “But we have added players and our bench can be a determining factor in the final stretch of our season.”
Last year, Los Angeles FC missed out on three trophies - losing the Concacaf Champions League final to Liga MX side, León, the Campeones Cup final to Tigres UANL and the MLS Cup final to Columbus Crew.
On top of that, they were dumped out of the 2023 Leagues Cup by Monterrey in the quarter finals and were eliminated from the US Open Cup against LA Galaxy. A year to forget for the Black & Gold, but one that served as a learning experience for this season.
LAFC’s rematch against Columbus Crew
In December last year, the Crew beat Los Angeles 2-1 to lift the 2023 MLS Cup - a painful memory for Cherundolo and his players and one which they hope to put right this time, in the second time in franchise history that the two teams have met in a final.
“It’s interesting. It’s very interesting because both clubs know each other better,” Cherundolo began by saying about the rematch. “But I’m not sure that makes it any less important or special. Any opportunity to win trophies is important for us and that’s our goal and all we’ll be thinking about in the next few days.
“Columbus is a good team. They have great players and they have ways of changing their formation to win games. They are excellent at home, so we have to do our job. But I think tactically there will be no surprises, it will be a close game and I know our group is eager for a rematch. If you want to lift a trophy you have to play a perfect 90 minutes or possibly penalties,” he concluded.
The 2024 Leagues Cup final will be played at Lower.com Field, Columbis, Ohio on Sunday 25 August kicking off at 7:15 p.m. ET / 4:15 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast live by Apple TV and MLS Season Pass.