December 5, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
It all comes down to this: Columbus Crew vs. LAFC for MLS Cup presented by Audi.
Where: Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio
When: Saturday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass / FOX / FOX Deportes / TSN / RDS
Reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC return for a second consecutive title match and on a journey to become just the fourth club in league history to win back-to-back MLS Cup titles and the first since cross-town rivals LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012.
This is the Columbus Crew’s first MLS Cup appearance since winning their second title in 2020 and an opportunity for the club to become the third team in league history to win at least three MLS Cup titles with a victory on Saturday, joining the LA Galaxy (5) and D.C. United (4).
Media members are encouraged to keep up with all the latest news and media availabilities throughout MLS Cup presented by Audi week by accessing the full schedule of media events, including links to join opportunities virtually, here.
How They Got Here: Columbus Crew
Round One Best-of-3 Series: 2-1 series win vs. No. 6 Atlanta United
Eastern Conference Semifinal: 2-0 win at No. 2 Orlando City SC
Eastern Conference Final: 3-2 win at No. 1 FC Cincinnati
The Crew has been a goal-scoring machine in its first year under head coach Wilfried Nancy, scoring more goals than any other team during the regular season (67) and postseason (13) in 2023. Nancy will now look to cap off a tremendous first season in Columbus with his first and the club’s third MLS Cup title in front of his home crowd.
Lower.com Field will also host its second championship match of 2023 and its fourth since opening in July 2021. The Crew and Columbus Crew 2 are collectively 2-1-0 across those championship games on home soil, and the Crew will look to add an MLS Cup trophy to the Campeones Cup and MLS NEXT Pro Cup that were won at their home stadium.
Players in Focus
Cucho Hernández: With four goals and two assists through five games in his debut postseason, Hernández has carried over his regular season dominance and powered the Crew back to MLS Cup for a chance at a third star above their logo.
Darlington Nagbe: Three MLS Cup winners’ medals isn’t a bad haul during an MLS career, but a fourth would put Nagbe in elite company as just the 10th player in league history to do so and potentially the fourth to start three finals with three different teams.
Patrick Schulte: The 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the…
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