On March 11, 2025, Columbus Crew faced off against Los Angeles FC (LAFC) at Lower.com Field, attempting to overturn a challenging 3-0 deficit from the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16. Despite putting forth their best effort and securing a 2-1 victory in the second leg, the Crew were eliminated from the tournament by LAFC, which advanced with a 4-2 aggregate score.
Entering the match, the Crew knew they faced an uphill battle. With the pressure mounting, they capitalized on the home-field advantage early, needing to score three goals to keep their hopes of advancing alive. Just ten minutes after the kickoff, forward Jacen Russell-Rowe found the back of the net, giving Columbus the start they desperately needed. His goal came off a precise cross from teammate Diego Rossi, who battled between LAFC defenders to put the ball within reach, leading to a one-touch finish from Russell-Rowe.
The Crew continued to press their advantage and extended their lead just before halftime. Following a foul against Rossi by LAFC defender Eddie Segura, the Crew were awarded a penalty kick. Rossi calmly stepped up to the spot and struck the ball past LAFC's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, bringing the aggregate score to 3-2 and restoring hope for Crew fans.
After halftime, Columbus remained aggressive, generating several shots and maintaining dominant possession. They had built momentum with strong chemistry on the field, evidenced by the Crew's advantage of 66% possession and 12 shots compared to LAFC's three at the break. Despite their intense efforts, the Crew struggled to convert on multiple opportunities, encountering outstanding saves by Lloris, who was instrumental for LAFC throughout the match.
The climax came late in the game when Columbus looked poised to force overtime. Time seemed to dwindle down effortlessly as the Crew held their advantageous 2-0 lead, but the match was about to take a dramatic turn. With only moments before the final whistle, LAFC's Denis Bouanga dealt the crushing blow. Scoring deep within stoppage time, Bouanga struck with precision, ending Columbus's comeback hopes and sealing the aggregate series victory for LAFC.
“Denis Bouanga ended Columbus' hope in the 96th minute, scoring to secure the series for LAFC,” reported VAVEL, as fans and players alike grappled with the heartbreak of near victory. The Crew had come so close to tying the aggregate score but were unable to find the elusive third goal, which would have sent the match to overtime.
Throughout this match, Columbus Coach Wilfried Nancy made strategic substitutions, trying to flip the momentum but to no avail. With players like Darlington Nagbe and Malte Amundsen subbed out for fresh legs, the Crew pressed as closely to the goal as possible. Max Arfsten, whose shot saw the net just inches off the line, showcased their relentless pursuit of victory. Yet, time after time, the Crew faced resistance from LAFC’s defense.
The match statistics painted the picture of missed opportunities. Columbus generated 10 shots against LAFC's counterattack but was consistently thwarted by Lloris and the defense. The resilience of Columbus throughout the match was admirable, but their inability to close the gap on aggregate goals would haunt them as the final whistle blew.
The atmosphere at Lower.com Field shifted from elation to despair as fans cheered the Crew’s efforts only to witness the heart-wrenching conclusion of the series. The 2-1 win was too little too late, as they fell short of becoming one of the select few teams to overturn such dramatic deficits. The Crew will now have to regroup and reassess their strategy as they look forward to their next challenges within the MLS season following this setback.
Meanwhile, for LAFC, this victory marked progress toward their goal of continental success, as they advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup where they await their next opponent. Having suffered their first loss of the MLS season just days earlier, LAFC will need to reflect on the balance of their squad heading forward.
Overall, the match highlighted the passion and competition within the Concacaf Champions Cup, reminding everyone of the intensity and unpredictability associated with knockout tournaments.