LAFC and Columbus Crew gear up for a clash of titans at BMO Stadium

This coming Saturday night at BMO Stadium is shaping up to be one of those unforgettable moments for soccer fans. The LAFC, undefeated in 10 games and playing on their home turf, are set to face the Columbus Crew in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 MLS Cup final. The air is thick with tension, and the burning question is: can LAFC keep their home dominance intact?

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Sitting atop the Western Conference with 43 points, LAFC has been delivering top-tier soccer. With Denis Bouanga, the current Golden Boot winner, racking up 14 goals and 9 assists, and the legendary goalkeeper Hugo Lloris anchoring the defense, the team has been a veritable fortress, conceding just 24 goals so far. It's as if their defense is a medieval stronghold, impenetrable, with each player a knight ready to defend their castle.

On the flip side, the Columbus Crew are in phenomenal form. Winning eight of their last nine games, Wilfried Nancy's squad hasn't skipped a beat even after midfielder Aidan Morris's move to Middlesbrough. With a lethal attacking trio of Cucho Hernández, Diego Rossi, and Christian Ramírez, the Crew has been wreaking havoc on opposing defenses, combining for 23 goals and 21 assists. It's like the Crew's attack is a finely tuned orchestra, where every note is a goal and every melody, a perfect assist.

Something big is brewing for Saturday. With a 13-game unbeaten streak, including victories in the three US Open Cup matches, LAFC is determined to avenge the bitter defeat in the MLS Cup final at Lower.com Field. Historically, the Black & Gold have a strong track record against the Crew, with three wins and only one loss in all competitions. But make no mistake, the Crew are on a high and ready to break this streak.

LAFC's recent 3-1 victory over New Mexico United in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinals is a harbinger of what's to come. Timothy Tillman, David Martinez, and Mateusz Bogusz secured the semifinal spot for the first time since 2018, showcasing the team’s peak form. Bogusz, in particular, has been a revelation, contributing 10 goals and five assists in the last 13 matches.

Meanwhile, Columbus Crew, sitting third in the Eastern Conference with 39 points, have their sights set on climbing the table and closing in on FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF. With an impressive away record, including five wins, two losses, and three draws, the Crew is ready for the BMO Stadium challenge. The Crew’s defense, the best in MLS this season, has conceded only 18 goals, and they'll need all their grit and determination to hold off LAFC’s powerful attack, which has netted 15 goals in their last four MLS games.

Diego Rossi, a familiar name to LAFC fans, returns to BMO Stadium for the first time since his transfer to Turkey's Fenerbahçe. With five goals and 10 assists in the 2024 MLS league, Rossi is motivated to prove his worth and help the Crew secure a historic win. However, the Crew will have to cope without Canadian forward Jacen Russell-Rowe, who is competing in the 2024 Copa América.

For LAFC, the drive comes from last December's loss. With recent additions like Kei Kamara, Eduard Atuesta, and Maxime Chanot, the team is stronger and determined to keep their home invincibility. Even with Cristian Olivera and Timothy Tillman absent, LAFC trusts their squad depth to overcome the challenges.