Columbus Crew Clinch 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 Berth as Leagues Cup 2024 Champions
The Columbus Crew emerged victorious in the Leagues Cup 2024, securing their place in the Round of 16 for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. The final, held at a sold-out Lower.com Field, saw the Crew defeat Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) 3-1 in an exhilarating match, marking their second major trophy within a year.
A Historic Win for Columbus Crew
In front of 20,190 enthusiastic fans, Columbus Crew delivered an electrifying performance, with star striker Cucho Hernández leading the charge. Hernández, who was named the Best Player of Leagues Cup 2024, scored two crucial goals in the dying moments of the match and assisted in the third, ensuring victory for the Crew. This win adds to their MLS Cup triumph in December 2023, cementing their dominance at Lower.com Field.
Path to the Title
Columbus outlasted 46 clubs from LIGA MX and MLS, claiming the Leagues Cup trophy and earning an automatic berth in the Round of 16 for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. LAFC, as runners-up, and the Colorado Rapids, who secured third place by defeating Philadelphia Union, also qualified for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, entering at the Round One stage.
Match Highlights
The Crew opened the scoring in the first half with a spectacular header from Hernández, courtesy of a brilliant assist from Mohamed Farsi. LAFC responded in the second half with a goal from Olivier Giroud, but Hernández's late heroics sealed the victory for Columbus. His powerful right-footed shot in stoppage time, followed by an assist to Jacen Russell-Rowe, secured the Crew's 3-1 win and their Leagues Cup 2024 title.
Leagues Cup 2024 in Numbers
Leagues Cup 2024 set new attendance records, with over 1.31 million fans attending the tournament's matches, averaging 17,131 spectators per game. This turnout underscores the growing popularity of the competition, which features 47 first-division clubs from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Colorado Rapids' Journey
Earlier in the day, Colorado Rapids secured their place in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round One by winning the third-place match against Philadelphia Union. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen made history by winning three penalty shootouts in the tournament, helping the Rapids to a 3-1 victory on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regular time. Philadelphia's Tai Baribo, who finished as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals, was a standout in the match.
Leagues Cup's Impact Beyond Soccer
Beyond the on-field action, Leagues Cup 2024 continued its commitment to social responsibility through the United Against Hunger initiative. The tournament surpassed its goal by donating 4.6 million meals across North America, demonstrating the power of sport to drive positive change in communities.
Looking Ahead
Leagues Cup has quickly become a cornerstone of North American soccer, pausing the regular seasons of Major League Soccer and LIGA MX each summer to allow all 47 clubs to compete in this World Cup-style tournament. Fans worldwide can catch the action on the MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app, with select matches also broadcast on TelevisaUnivision, FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS.
As the tournament continues to grow in stature, the success of the 2024 edition sets the stage for an even more exciting future for soccer in the region, with the top finishers earning coveted spots in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
