On a crisp yesterday evening at Lower.com Field, the Columbus Crew edged closer to a stacked trophy case, defeating the Philadelphia Union with a solid 3-1 scoreline. Columbus Crew, the defending MLS Cup Champions, confirmed their place in the Leagues Cup final, which, if won, will grant them another run in the Concacaf Champions Cup, a stage they're not strangers to. ABC6 talked to Apple TV lead MLS analyst Taylor Twellman, who declared, "If you win the semi-final against Philadelphia, you're in the Concacaf Champions Cup next season."
That said, it's LAFC that, having lost the MLS Cup against Crew last year, might be yearning for a rematch, with Olivier Giroud bolstering their front line. Twellman conveyed his insights, foreseeing that "LAFC would love to have a rematch in Columbus and try to avenge how they played in MLS Cup last year," hoping to erase memories of past defeats and write new headlines. It's no secret that the Philadelphia side, having played their hearts out, will have to be content with competing for a third-place standing, a chance to still carve a path into next year's Concacaf Champions Cup, according to a statement obtained by ABC6.
Meanwhile, Columbus Crew's forward Diego Rossi and striker Cucho Hernandez ensured their team's aspirations didn't dwindle, with Rossi netting two critical goals, making him the tournament's top scorer. In a recap provided by The Dispatch, Rossi's goals came in the 12th and 43rd minutes, no stranger to the limelight, with this marking his third two-goal performance of the tournament. Hernández chipped in with an insurance goal in the second half, solidifying Crew's dominance on the pitch.
Looking ahead, the Los Angeles FC-Colorado Rapids face-off will determine who gets to test their mettle against the Crew in the Leagues Cup final. The Crew, after their near effortless triumph over the Union in the semifinals, now rest their laurels momentarily before the showdown on Sunday, Aug. 25th, at the familiar grounds of Lower.com Field, with the kickoff time yet to be nailed down, "Already securing the victory by taking a 2-1 lead before halftime," as recounted by The Dispatch coverage of the match.
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