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News, Blog and GuidesHere’s how we think both teams will line up for the MLS Cup Final at Lower.com Field.
Joe Brennanj4brennanUpdate: Dec 9th, 2023 15:10 EST
John David MercerUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Tick, tock. Tick, tock. The wait is almost over for of the game between LAFC and Columbus Crew (4PM ET / 1PM PT) with the title of best team in the United States on the line. With MLS Cup trophy on offer, a prize that every soccer fan in the US dreams of, we take a look at how both teams might line up for the showpiece event at Lower.com Field on Saturday 9 December.
Follow Columbus Crew – LAFC live online: MLS Cup Final 2023 | Score, stats and updates.
LAFC come into the game as reigning champions and with a good vein of form behind them, having beaten Seattle Sounders and Houston Dynamo on their way to the final. Columbus Crew, on the other hand, have the weight and expectation of history accompanying them, having won the trophy twice before. Playing sublime football at times, they are the slight favourites ahead of the opening whistle.
It all comes down to this. 🍿Crew. LAFC. MLS Cup. December 9. pic.twitter.com/cOajkm9L75
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 3, 2023
LAFC’s fabulous form
LAFC come into the game in a fantastic run of form: they are unbeaten in 7 in all competitions and have not lost for 6 consecutive away games: in those ties away from home, they have not been scored against in 4. They also failed to concede a goal in any of their Conference Playoff games.
Steve Cherundolo, who has now led his side to the MLS Cup Final in his first two seasons as manager, swept aside Houston Dynamo in the semi-finals with what many claim to be his strongest starting XI possible. Given the fact that there are no new injury concerns for his side, we expect much of the same from the coach in the MLS Cup Final.
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Carlos Vela’s contract ends later this month but head coach Steve Cherundolo said that he wants to keep the 34-year-old at the club.Armando ArorizoEFE
Columbus Crew have history – and drama – on their side
As for Columbus Crew, their route to the all-or-nothing game was indescribably more dramatic, coming back against Supporters’ Shield holders FC Cincinnati, eventually winning 3-2 and becoming the first away side in the history of the MLS Cup playoffs to overcome a two-goal deficit and get through from a single-leg round.
