After absolutely destroying the Colorado Rapids 4-0 in an almost flawless performance, LAFC has a crystal-clear mission: take on the Columbus Crew in a matchup that's dripping with revenge vibes. It’s Columbus, after all, that shattered LAFC's MLS Cup dreams in 2023 with that brutal win in the final.
That dominant victory over the Rapids at home in BMO Stadium showed just how locked in and hungry LAFC is for silverware. And this wasn't just any win—it was a walk in the park. After Denis Bouanga had a goal called back for offside, LAFC decided it was time to hit the gas. Mateusz Bogusz kicked things off with a goal at 42 minutes, and before Rapids fans could even catch their breath, Kei Kamara doubled the lead just three minutes later. From there, it was LAFC all day, with Bouanga and Lewis O'Brien each adding to the beatdown, sealing the massacre.
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LAFC's got their offense firing on all cylinders, a defense that's tough as nails, and a roster oozing quality. Head coach Steve Cherundolo couldn’t be prouder of his squad. “We’re hungry, and that hunger takes us far,” he said after the game. That hunger was on full display as LAFC imposed their will, leaving Colorado totally lost. But the real question looms: Is that hunger enough to take down the Columbus Crew and wipe away the stain of 2023’s loss?
The upcoming clash with Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field is more than just a final. It’s a showdown between two of North America’s soccer powerhouses. On one side, you’ve got LAFC, a club that's built an empire of talent, with international stars like Olivier Giroud. He might not have found the back of the net yet, but he’s already making waves with his presence. On the other side, you’ve got Columbus Crew—maybe not as flashy in the media, but they’re a straight-up fortress on the field, with a recent track record of success against LAFC.
The irony? Columbus was the only team to really humiliate LAFC recently, handing them a shocking 5-1 loss back in July. Now, fate brings these two teams face to face again, and what’s on the line isn’t just the Leagues Cup trophy. It’s way bigger than that. Cherundolo, though, isn’t biting on the revenge storyline. For him, it’s all about staying focused on the present. But let’s be real—even if the coach is trying to keep things rational, you just can’t ignore the emotional tension hanging over this rematch.
LAFC's squad is the embodiment of firepower—18 goals in six Leagues Cup games—and a defense that’s nearly impenetrable, conceding just three goals.
But Columbus isn’t some pushover. They’ve proven that. They’re like that fighter who doesn’t say much but knows exactly how to land those knockout punches. The challenge LAFC faces in the final isn’t just tactical or physical—it’s mental too. Can they shake off the ghosts of the last final? Are the scars from that 2023 defeat still lingering in the players’ minds, or have they moved on?
As much praise as LAFC gets, they know better than to underestimate Columbus. The Crew is ready to pounce on any slip-up. Still, if LAFC can maintain the level of play they've shown so far, it'll be tough for any team—even the Crew—to stop this freight train. Can LAFC finally rise above the past and grab that redemption they’ve been chasing? Or will Columbus Crew, once again, be the team that crushes LA’s golden dreams?