LAFC Aims to Rebound Against Columbus Crew in Key Cup Clash

Columbus, Ohio — Los Angeles FC will seek redemption on Tuesday, March 11, when they face the Columbus Crew in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup. After suffering a heavy 5-2 defeat to the Seattle Sounders, LAFC needs a win to keep their tournament hopes alive.

LAFC’s Monday match comes after Columbus Crew secured only a goalless draw against Houston Dynamo. The Crew had hoped to build momentum but will need a victory to advance in the tournament.

In their last encounter, LAFC dominated the first leg of this knockout round, defeating Columbus 3-0 at home. Goals from Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz bolstered LAFC’s confidence, and Ordaz has continued to show promise with goals in back-to-back matches.

Los Angeles FC exhibited a shift in strategy during their latest matchup in the MLS, resting key players ahead of their CC encounter. Coach Steve Cherundolo opted to bench eight starters for the game against Seattle after a successful unbeaten run, hoping to recalibrate the lineup for the crucial clash against Columbus.

Despite their last setback, LAFC’s offensive prowess remains intact. Former Crew player Diego Rossi, along with up-and-coming forward Jacen Russell-Rowe, poses a consistent threat, scoring multiple goals in the current MLS season.

Columbus Crew will need to pull together and capitalize on their home advantage at Lower.com Field. In their previous MLS fixture, they enjoyed 62% possession against Houston and completed significantly more passes, highlighting their potential to dominate the game when the opportunity arises.

“We need to take this chance to assert ourselves and progress in the tournament,” stated Crew defender Steven Moreira. The Crew will aim to leverage their home crowd’s support to create an intimidating atmosphere for LAFC.

The match will start at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on FS1. Fans can also find online streaming options available through various platforms, which offer free trials for new subscribers.