Sometimes in sports, a team just has your number. It could be for any number of reasons, we have seen it with the Lakers and Denver Nuggets where no matter how good Los Angeles was, the matchup of big centers always went in favor of Denver. Such seems to be the case for another LA side, LAFC. After only just a few spattering of meetings over the years, recently scheduling and team improvement from the Crew, has these two facing off a lot more often and in several different competitions. Usually, LAFC dispatches of the East Coast sides fairly easily, but Columbus has been a massive thorn in the side of Los Angeles. Tonight, LAFC meet them in yet another top competition, but this time, the team feel ready to overcome their bogey nightmares.
Matchday: #LAFCvCLB
⚽ @thechampions Cup
⏰ 7:30 PM PT
🏟️ @bmostadium
🖥️ FS2 pic.twitter.com/YD0QHF1C5O— LAFC (@LAFC) March 4, 2025
In 2023, LAFC were on the doorstep of repeating as MLS Cup Champions after their first-ever win in 2022, but Columbus Crew had other plans. Last season, LAFC were looking to regain some aura and reclaim their top spot with a Leagues Cup Final win, again, Columbus Crew had other plans. In between those two finals was also an MLS matchup that saw the Crew come into LA and turn our trap into theirs with a 1-5 blowout win. In all, the last three times these two have met, has ended with the Crew not just winning, but dominating. LAFC have scored just one goal in each of the last three meetings, and in a season where the goals are already tough to come by, they will be relying heavily on defense in this first leg.
“It’s still the same problems that we saw last year, we can see again this year” said LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo when speaking to media ahead of the first leg tonight. “If you don’t defend properly, and make sure Columbus is also occupied defensively. If we can’t manage to do that, then it will be a long night.” For the first time in their history, LAFC are starting to feel what other teams feel in regards to them. A side that, no matter how well you play, no matter how strong you come out tactically, you just can’t seem to put it together when it matters on the pitch. “I think the last matchup, Leagues Cup Final, was pretty even and I think we should pick up there where we left off. Against good teams it’s always going to be moments in the game that decide the result. Keeping things close, being competitive is all you can ask for in these big games. This game is still about making plays on game day.”
24 Hours. ⏳
⚽ @TheChampions Cup
🆚 @ColumbusCrew
🏟️ @BMOStadium
🖥️ FS2
🎟️ https://t.co/VdGzwjZe6L pic.twitter.com/DBHHXHRLOK— LAFC (@LAFC) March 4, 2025
A matchup like this, being this early in the season, is always tough to call. Columbus have remained unbeaten in their first two matches to open 2025, one a 4-2 win at home, the other a 1-0 victory on the road. Just two matches into the season, it’s hard to sit here and talk consistencies, tactics, form, etc because we simply don’t have any data worth analyzing at this point in the season. What we can say, is that while these rosters are slightly different, the vibes are very much the same. Wilfried Nancy will be coming into LA looking to once again silence the crowd and let the world know that it’s his Crew side that are the new crown jewel of the MLS. LAFC will be looking to keep building on this early season form. After losing their opener on the road, the team have enjoyed three straight home matches, all ending in wins, and all clean sheets. This will be the first real, true, test. This will provide a litmus for us to see just where LAFC stand this season.
The biggest key for Los Angeles this match will be defense. They, more than anyone, know the importance of even just one away goal in this tournament. If ever there was a match to keep the clean sheet record at home, it’s this one. That said, if ever there was a match the team woke up ready to drop a bundle of goals on an opponent, tonight is that match.
How To Watch
Tonights Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16, Leg one matchup, is set for 7:30pm PT kickoff. The match will be broadcast live and can be seen on FS2.
Thoughts ahead of the first leg against the Crew? Leave a comment below!