Glory to Columbus.
The Columbus Crew secured its third MLS Cup in club history on Saturday with a 2-1 win over defending champion Los Angeles FC at Lower.com Field in Columbus. A goal from Yaw Yeboah in the 37th minute proved to be the difference in the victory, as the Crew held off a furious second-half comeback attempt from LAFC to claim the title.
The Crew utilized a dominant first half to distance itself from LAFC early, controlling possession for 68.2 percent of the opening 45 minutes and adding a pair of goals from Cucho Hernandez and Yeboah in the 33rd and 37th minute to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
LAFC dialed up the pressure in the second half, and after several close chances throughout the first 25 minutes of the frame, Dénis Bouanga cut the Crew lead in half with a goal in the 74th minute.
Despite a few more spirited chances from LAFC and seven minutes of extra time, stemming from injuries to Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and Yeboah, the Crew held firm until the final whistle.
Columbus controlled possession for 61.4 percent of the match and won the shot-attempt battle 14-11 — however, each team placed five shots on goal — while tallying nine corner kicks to LAFC’s one. Schulte finished the match with four saves, aiding a great defensive effort from the Crew.
The Crew also won MLS Cup titles in 2008 and 2020 and is now the only club in the league to win multiple MLS Cups in the 2020s.
