2023 MLS CUP FINAL
LAFC
A cup final will always be war.
And war it was in Columbus, Ohio tonight, with dominance, turns, scuffles, and heartbreak. A late surge from LAFC was not enough, and in the barrage of yellow cards and tumbles, Columbus Crew came out on top. Dominating over 61% of possession (and you wouldn’t be remiss to assume it was more), the Crew, led by Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernandez, blew through LAFC’s transition offense and cut between its formidable defense to create incredible chances on goal and convert when it mattered most. If this war will be remembered, it will be for the Crew’s lightning-fast play and swift touches. And if LAFC thinks of anything tonight, it will be the flashes of yellow and the force with which they flew.
An Incredible Match
The announcers said it best—LAFC was looking its old self in the eye. The quick, zippy play and barrage of chances created by Columbus was reminiscent of the MVP-Vela days of LAFC. Wilfried Nancy proves his chops as a top MLS coach. Diego Rossi, an LAFC alum who scored the club’s first-ever goal in 2018, showed his stuff to the Cherundolo-era LAFC and left many of them chasing after him. Make no mistake, LAFC have evolved stronger since those days, but the pace of play tonight puts a bitter button on a long, arduous season.
A game of chess opened the match in the first half, the aggressive Crew team zipping between the solid LAFC midfield and meeting its dynamic, moving defense. LAFC would power forward in transition only to turn over the ball with less-than-precise passes. It was aggressive on both ends of the field from both clubs. An unfortunate ricochet off the chest of Diego Palacios onto his hand led to a penalty goal from Cucho Hernandez in the 33’, topped off by a brilliant play on goal by Yaw Yeboah just minutes later in the 37’. An LAFC corner at the end of the half was cleared away quickly to keep LAFC scoreless, forcing frustrations into the clubhouse.
A second half marked by yellow cards, physicality, and towering individual performances followed. It wasn’t until LAFC’s trademark transition offense broke through late in the game that the 2022 champs showed their teeth. Denis Bouanga in particular split multiple defenders—some twice—to put his stamp on the evening with a spectacular 74’ goal on a follow-up play. Columbus continued their quick-touch pace after that, and LAFC came ready on defense. Incredible efforts from veteran Giorgio Chiellini (the oldest non-goalkeeper to play in an MLS Cup final) and Jesus Murillo caught the most attention, battling Columbus to the bitter end.
LAFC left their hearts and bodies on the pitch, giving it their all for an equalizer that never came. Columbus was too fast, LAFC too patient, and in the rain and the roughness, the Crew held out for their 2-1 win, putting an end to LAFC’s dream of back-to-back championships.
What a Season for Los Angeles…
The Los Angeles club powered through the longest season in MLS history, a record-setting 53 matches in 2023. They saw the CONCACAF Champions League final, the Campeones Cup, and a Leagues Cup quarterfinal. They saw the biggest attendance in MLS history with their July 4th El Trafico match at the Rose Bowl. They housed the regular-season Golden Boot winner and tied-record-holder for most goals in all competitions in a single season in Denis Bouanga, the breakout star of the year. Tonight reminds of the heights the club reached this season and the moments they fell just short. It’s a different kind of heartbreak, not one born of anger, sorrow, or failure but one of near-misses, disappointment, and glimpses of glory. And though they hoisted no silverware, the club still has a lot to be proud of.
But thus marks the end of an era, maybe even a starker end than Bob Bradley’s departure in 2021. Carlos Vela, Giorgio Chiellini, Maxime Crepeau, Kellyn Acosta, and Diego Palacios are facing the end of their contracts, Vela the star and face of the club for its entire history. Talks of free agency and retirement permeated the year, and the star gave it his all in what could be his final game tonight. Vela’s impact rippled through all of MLS. In most ways, he built LAFC. The roars and the cheers were for him.
The club still has its fair share of young stars and drawing power. There is a bright future ahead and many areas to improve for the coming season. Whatever happens this offseason, LAFC is not done. If Vela went out tonight, he went out having established LAFC as a dominant force in MLS, one to be reckoned with and remembered. The ovation as he exited the pitch at home in the Western Conference Final says it all. “You gave us the fire,” the 3252 said. “Now watch us run with it.”
MLS will return in February with the start of the 2024 season. More details coming soon.