LAFC faced Columbus Cres as part of the Round of 16 as part of the CONCACAF Cup. The Crew has LAFC´s number, for the team from Ohio has defeated the Black and Gold in two finals consecutively: one in the 2023 MLS Cup, and the other as part of the second edition of the Leagues Cup. The common denominator in those final encounters was the fact that they were played at Columbus´ Lower.com Stadium. Even thought this series will close at the same venue, such battle will be decided in two games, the first one being played at BMO Stadium, and in the Crew´s case, without its best player Carlos ¨Cucho¨ Hernandez. The Colombian striker is cursedly playing in Spa´s team Real Betis.
Both the Crew and the team from Los Angeles continue their journey through CONCACAF Cup with two consecutive wins in their domestic league. It was especially remarkable Columbus´ 1-0 win over New England Revolution, for the weather conditions at Gillette Stadium were atrocious, less than 20 digress to be precise.
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Diego Rossi, former LAFC player, and Denis Bouanga, current Black and Gold Designed Player, were the main attacking threats for their respective teams. It was the striker from Gabon who made his presence known in the scoring sheet. After a defensive mistake, Denis dribbled CC keeper Patrick Schulte and placed the ball in the net, this at the 20th minute. Three minutes before the end of the first half, Bouanga almost scored with a strike from the corner kick.
Once again, Denis Bouanga placed the ball at the net at the very first minute of the second half. The striker took the ball on the ledt side, stroke it with his right foot and placed it in the right corner of the net gibing the two goal advantage for LAFC.
Nathan Ordaz entered in the late stage of the second half. The Salvadorian-American attacker put the third and definitive goal for LAFC. A corner kick and a header deflected to the center was concluded with a volley with the right foot, Thus, LAFC defeated the Crew 3-0.
With a three-goal advantage, LAFC travels to Lower.com Stadium to finish the series next Tuesday, March 11. Columbus, on the other hand, will try to take out of LAFC from a different competition for the third consecutive time.
In other results, Mexican clubs Tigres and Pumas defeated Cincinnati and Costa Rica´s powerhouse Alajuelense respectively.
