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'The beauty of the game': Columbus Crew talk facing LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup
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- 'The beauty of the game': Columbus Crew talk facing LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup
For the third different tournament in three years, the Crew are facing Los Angeles FC , something Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said was "written" to happen.
The Crew learned they'd be facing LAFC in their opening series of the CONCACAF Champions Cup when LAFC defeated the Colorado Rapids to advance to the round of 16. Tuesday's game is at 10:30 p.m.
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LAFC advanced 1-0 in away goals after finishing the two-game series tied 2-2 in aggregate goals, while Columbus received a bye into the tournament's round of 16 as the 2024 Leagues Cup champions.
In the Leagues Cup final last year, t he Crew beat LAFC 3-1. The Crew also defeated LAFC 2-1 in 2023 to secure their third MLS Cup title.
"This it the beauty of the game," Nancy said. "We know that it's going to be a difficult game."
Nov 1, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew forward Diego Rossi (10) taps the ball ahead during the second half of the first round MLS Cup Playoffs matchup against Atlanta United at Lower.com Field. The Crew won 2-0.
To midfielder Max Arfsten , it is starting to feel like LAFC is in the Eastern Conference with the amount matchups between the two teams.
"We have played them so many times," Arfsten said. "But it's good. I mean, obviously they're a good team. It's always nice to go to LA, so I think it's a good rivalry. It's good for the league."
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Prior to the Leagues Cup final, Columbus faced LAFC in regular-season action and handed Los Angeles its first home loss of 2024 5-1. Arfsten, who is from Fresno, California, had an assist in the win.
Across the previous three Crew-LAFC games, it was now-departed Cucho Hernandez who had the most offensive success , recording four goals and two assists, including the game-winning goals in both finals.
Christian Ramirez, also no longer with the Crew, had the best performance in the road regular-season game with two goals.
Despite both players departing from the club, Hernandez being transferred to La Liga's Real Betis and Ramirez traded to Los Angeles Galaxy , the Crew remain confident they have LAFC's number.
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"For us, I don't think we have a rivalry," Crew defender Steven Moreira said. "Maybe for them, because what's happened before, but not for us. It's just a regular game. We're going to go there and try to win and do a good performance again."
Aug 25, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew defender Malte Amundsen (18) controls the ball as LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz (19) defends during the first half at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic-USA TODAY Sports
Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte , who was in goal from the MLS Cup final and the regular-season game, is of a similar mindset.
"I wouldn't consider it a rivalry," Schulte said. "I think it's just two good teams going up against each other, and that's what happens when you have two really good teams going at each other, you're bound to play each other at some point in a tournament format."
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The Crew-LAFC Champions Cup series begins in Los Angeles in Tuesday before moving to Lower.com Field for the second leg on March 11. The series will be determined by aggregate goals, with the team who records the most goals in the series advancing to the quarterfinals.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew set to face LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16
