The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) has advanced to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after defeating the Columbus Crew with a decisive aggregate score of 4-2. Despite the Crew's spirited performance at their home ground on March 12, 2025, they fell short after initially winning the home leg 2-1 but losing the first leg 3-0. This encounter showcased the resilience of LAFC, particularly the extraordinary performance of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who made several key saves to maintain the aggregate lead.
Columbus Crew started strongly, driven by the energy of young striker Jacen Russell-Rowe. He opened the scoring with a goal just 10 minutes after the kickoff, and Diego Rossi doubled the tally with a successful penalty kick right before halftime. The Crew’s aggressive approach entertained their supporters and created hope of overturning the deficit.
Head coach Wilfried Nancy opted for an attack-minded formation, employing what appeared to be a 1-4-5 configuration on the pitch, which effectively morphed to look like 1-4-3-2 during play. During the earlier parts of the match, Columbus attacked using higher wingbacks and involved their midfielders effectively to press LAFC’s defense, causing moments of uncertainty for the opposing team. "The Crew came out swinging and it led to one of the more offensive performances of the season," said one analyst, emphasizing their newfound energy and tactical change.
LAFC, trying to defend their aggregate advantage, set up defensively, adapting their formation to 5-4-1, which allowed them to resist the Crew's early flurry of chances. Despite multiple shots from Columbus, including attempts from both Russell-Rowe and Rossi, their efforts were repeatedly halted by Lloris who, as one report stated, was “an immovable object” between the posts, executing five significant saves throughout the match.
Unfortunately for the Crew, their momentum took a hit due to substitutions made by Nancy. The introduction of Yevhen Cheberko for the injured Moreira proved to be detrimental, as Cheberko lacked the attacking prowess needed at such a pivotal moment. Instead of bolstering their forward play, the substitution disrupted Crew’s game plan. Critics noted, "The moment Moreira went down...the Black & Gold were losing a huge attacking and defensive piece."
Cheberko’s late-game errors included squaring passes across the midfield, one of which was intercepted, leading to the eventual LAFC goal from Denis Bouanga. With just minutes left on the clock, Bouanga took advantage of the Crew’s vulnerabilities, scoring the decisive goal and sealing their exit from the tournament.
Despite the disappointment, the Crew displayed promising signs during the match, outplaying LAFC for stretches and pushing their opposition deep. For Columbus, this becomes not just about the present but also about preparing for the next challenge. They will face San Diego FC on March 16, aiming to reclaim their confidence and improve upon this misstep.
The tension evident at the final whistle reminded players and fans alike not only of the stakes involved but also of the lessons learned. The Crew's next steps will call for assessing individual performances, particularly of younger players such as Jackson, who—despite some turnovers—was pivotal to their efforts prior to his substitution.
LAFC, on the other hand, now awaits the winner of the matchup between Inter Miami and Cavalier FC. The remarkable performance from players like Lloris sets up what could be thrilling future encounters, especially facing talent laden with stars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez if they progress. All eyes will be on how both teams respond next, as each continues their journeys through this highly competitive tournament.
Fans were left with mixed feelings about the result. For the Crew, they must bounce back, learning from their tactical oversights and missed chances. For LAFC, this match highlighted their ability to withstand pressure and come out on top, promising exciting prospects as they head on to the next stage of the tournament.