Cucho Hernández’s Heroics Secure Leagues Cup Title for Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew’s standout player, Cucho Hernández, was the star of the show in the Leagues Cup final against LAFC. With his impressive performance, Hernández guided his team to a thrilling 3-1 victory, scoring twice, including the critical goal in the dying minutes of the match.

This win marks a significant achievement for the Crew, who defeated LAFC for the second consecutive final, having previously claimed the MLS Cup just last December.

Columbus Crew’s triumph in the Leagues Cup helps them retain the title for Major League Soccer, following Inter Miami’s victory in last year’s inaugural tournament that featured clubs from both Liga MX and MLS.

The final, held at Lower.com Field, drew a full house of eager fans, eagerly anticipating the action on the pitch. Hernández began the scoring just before halftime, delivering a powerful header that put the Crew ahead.

However, the match took an exciting turn as LAFC’s Olivier Giroud answered back with an impressive header of his own, marking his first goal for the Los Angeles squad in his inaugural start.

As the match progressed, it appeared to head towards a penalty shootout. Yet, in a remarkable display of skill, Hernández turned the tide in the Crew’s favor once again. He delivered a late cross that evaded the LAFC defenders and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, finding the back of the net in the 92nd minute to regain the lead.

Following Hernández’s magical moment, he played a pivotal role in the final goal, assisting Jacen Russell-Rowe who finished calmly to seal the match for Columbus.

Due to his stellar contributions throughout the tournament, Hernández was named the Best Player of the Leagues Cup. Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo earned recognition as the Top Scorer, netting an impressive seven goals in six matches. Additionally, Zack Steffen of the Colorado Rapids was honored as the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

With this victory, Columbus Crew now secures a place in the Round of 16 for the upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup. Meanwhile, LAFC will also participate in the first round after finishing as the tournament’s runners-up.

Columbus Crew had earlier reached the final of this year’s Concacaf Champions Cup but unfortunately fell to Pachuca with a 3-0 loss.

In a tournament that showcased skill, teamwork, and resilience, the Crew’s victory highlighted the growing talent within Major League Soccer and provided a fitting conclusion to the Leagues Cup.

Source: Associated Press, Field Level Media