The Columbus Crew outlasted LAFC 2-1 to win MLS Cup on Saturday in front 20,802 fans at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. An unbelievable Malte Amundsen assist to Yaw Yeboah gave the Crew their second and game-winning goal.
Amundsen might just have won himself the assist of the season as the Danish center back delivered an inch-perfect ball that cut LAFC’s back line wide open.
Amundsen assist vs LAFC in MLS Cup
TWO FOR THE CREW
And just like that @ColumbusCrew doubles its lead pic.twitter.com/u7dv0Zhydt— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
What a PASS this was by Malte Amundsen @ColumbusCrew pic.twitter.com/dJdyq2eO9w
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
Passes don’t get much better than that and credit goes to Yeboah too for the cool finish. Yeboah gave LAFC’s defense nightmares during his 83 minutes on the field with his dangerous runs.
Yeboah got 'em @ColumbusCrew pic.twitter.com/uEGfSJWpRT
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
Columbus controlled the tempo for a majority of the game limiting LAFC’s chances and dominating possession. The breakthrough for the Crew came from a Cucho Hernández penalty kick in the 33rd minute.
LAFC were unlucky with the penalty decision as Diego Palacios has the ball deflect off his chest onto his hand. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot.
A closer look at the handball that gave Columbus the penalty and the lead pic.twitter.com/VUlYPmo7H0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
THE CREW STRIKES FIRST
Cucho puts @ColumbusCrew on pic.twitter.com/Z1Y9whwhC2— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
Columbus didn’t give LAFC any solid looks at goal in the opening 45 minutes with this chance creeping by the goal in stoppage time being the closest.
Just wide
LAFC nearly got one back before the end of the half pic.twitter.com/8SIQWfLQY6— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
The Crew came out with the same energy in the second half without any signs of slowing. Yeboah again took on the defense and was inches away from having an assist.
Columbus was this close to finding its third pic.twitter.com/3MCtQaOP6l
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
As the second half drew on LAFC started gaining momentum and knocking on the door.
What an opportunity for LAFC!
Vela is in front of goal but isn't able to connect pic.twitter.com/JZsy6PipBf— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga finally got LAFC back in the game when he bundled the ball of the goal line following a great initial save from Patrick Schulte.
GOAL FOR LAFC @LAFC takes one back! pic.twitter.com/81UacnzonQ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
LAFC threw men forward in search of an equalizer but ultimately fell short as Columbus claimed their third MLS Cup.
The moment @ColumbusCrew officially became your 2023 MLS Cup Champions pic.twitter.com/5bCLkDcdSt
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
@ColumbusCrew's Darlington Nagbe is full of emotion after the final whistle
Nagbe just became the 2nd player in MLS History to win 4 @MLS Cups pic.twitter.com/OLLvyeXs60— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
THE CREW RAISES THE 2023 MLS CUP
Let the party begin @ColumbusCrew fans pic.twitter.com/U1vKIxUPwQ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2023
Big question marks will loom for LAFC including was this Carlos Vela’s last game for the club and was this Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini’s last game period?
As for Columbus, they will celebrate long into the rainy Ohio night.
