It has been 260 days since the Columbus Crew hosted and defeated Los Angeles FC in the MLS Cup final, marking a significant milestone in the club's history. Fast forward to the present, the Crew is set to host LAFC once again, this time in the Leagues Cup final at Lower.com Field on Sunday.
The Crew's victory over LAFC in the MLS Cup final on December 9th was a defining moment, but the team's journey didn’t stop there. On Wednesday, Columbus secured their third tournament final appearance within a year by defeating the Philadelphia Union 3-1 in a Leagues Cup semifinal, demonstrating their consistency and determination under the guidance of Coach Wilfried Nancy.
Reflecting on the team's success, Nancy emphasized the importance of having a clear vision and a strong mindset.
"This is something that we try to put in place when I took the team, to have a vision," Nancy said. "To think big and to achieve small things. To write a legacy."
He acknowledged that while the process was confusing initially, focusing on day-to-day progress has been key to transforming the Crew into a winning team.
Since Nancy’s arrival, the Crew has maintained a high level of performance, reaching the MLS Cup final, the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, and now the Leagues Cup final—all within his first two seasons. The team's success is a testament to Nancy's leadership and the players' unwavering commitment to the club’s vision.
Diego Rossi played a crucial role in Wednesday's semifinal victory, scoring two goals to help the Crew advance. This performance marked his third two-goal game in four Leagues Cup matches, making him the tournament's leading scorer with six goals.
The journey to the final has been personal for many Crew players, especially after the team’s struggles against Philadelphia last season. The Crew's first game under Nancy ended in a 4-1 loss to the Union, a team Nancy respected from his time at CF Montreal. The Crew’s progress since that loss highlights their growth and resilience. "It's good to see how far we've come," forward Christian Ramirez said, reflecting on the team's evolution.
Despite their success, Nancy remains cautious, particularly when facing tough opponents like Philadelphia. He emphasized the need to stay focused, keeping all 11 starters in the game for over 85 minutes during the semifinal.
"Matches against the Union are fragile and can change in a moment's notice," Nancy explained.
The Crew’s defensive lineup has faced its share of challenges throughout the tournament, with turnovers from each of their starting center backs—Rudy Camacho, Yevhen Cheberko, and Steven Moreira—leading to goals in previous matches. Despite these mistakes, Nancy kept faith in his players, who responded with resilience, holding opponents to just four goals while scoring 11 themselves. Cheberko, who made a costly turnover in the semifinal, redeemed himself with a game-high two blocks, showcasing the team's ability to bounce back from adversity.
Nancy praised his players' resilience, noting their ability to recover from mistakes and keep pushing forward. "They came back from a mistake that we made, but like I told them, they don't take this final for granted," Nancy said, highlighting the team's work ethic and determination.
As the Crew prepares for the Leagues Cup final, their journey serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through vision, resilience, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The team’s success under Nancy’s leadership is not just about winning games, but about building a legacy that will endure.
