Columbus Crew Defeats LAFC in Back-to-Back Finals

Four weeks, two leagues, two countries, and one champion, an unprecedented event in global football, the Leagues Cup is the first-ever two-league tournament sanctioned by the confederation. Seventy-seven matches packed into one intense month were hosted in MLS stadiums across the U.S. and Canada. The tournament concluded this past Sunday with a thrilling final where, out of the 29 MLS clubs and 18 Liga MX teams that participated, Los Angeles Football Club and Columbus Crew met again in a rematch of last year's MLS Cup final. LAFC sought to avenge their previous loss, but it was the Crew who once again emerged victorious. This midseason tournament, officially sanctioned by CONCACAF, grants the top three teams automatic bids to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with an opportunity to represent the confederation in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Last Sunday's final was nothing short of dramatic, ending in breathtaking fashion. The Crew's star, Cucho Hernández, set the stage with a powerful header just before halftime, putting his team ahead 1-0. LAFC quickly responded in the second half, with Olivier Giroud heading in an equalizer to make it 1-1. As the match seemed destined for a penalty shootout, Hernández produced a moment of brilliance in stoppage time. His late cross went past LAFC's defense and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, finding the back of the net to restore the Crew's lead at 2-1. Moments later, Hernández was at it again, delivering a perfect assist to Jacen Russell-Rowe, who secured the victory for Columbus with a final score of 3-1.

With the win, Columbus secured a berth in the round of 16 in next year's CONCACAF Champions Cup. LAFC, finishing as the Leagues Cup runner-up, also secured a spot in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

LAFC will now shift their focus back to MLS, and it wouldn't be surprising if the same two teams met once again in the MLS Cup final in December. LAFC returns home from their road trip on Saturday to face the Houston Dynamo at 7:30 p.m. at BMO Stadium.