Wed Mar 05 02:50:00 UTC 2025: ## LAFC and Columbus Crew Clash in Concacaf Champions Cup Showdown

**Los Angeles, CA** – Major League Soccer rivals LAFC and the Columbus Crew face off tonight in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup at BMO Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on FS2.

This highly anticipated clash pits two of the most successful MLS teams of recent years against each other. Their rivalry has been marked by intense competition, with both sides claiming multiple trophies since LAFC joined the league in 2018. The Crew holds a recent advantage, having defeated LAFC in both the 2024 Leagues Cup Final and the 2023 MLS Cup Final. However, LAFC boasts a dominant historical record against Columbus in regular season play.

The Crew enters the competition as Leagues Cup Champions, earning a bye in the first round. LAFC, meanwhile, advanced after a hard-fought tie against the Colorado Rapids. The winner of this two-legged series will progress to the quarterfinals to face either Inter Miami or Cavalier FC.

Columbus, under head coach Wilfried Nancy, has enjoyed a strong start to the MLS season, with two consecutive wins. Despite the offseason transfer of star forward Cucho Hernández, the Crew maintains a formidable squad, including former LAFC winger Diego Rossi, a key figure in LAFC’s memorable Concacaf Champions Cup run in 2020. Rossi’s goal helped LAFC become the first US team to eliminate a Liga MX team after trailing by multiple goals in the first leg.

Meanwhile, LAFC, led by head coach Steve Cherundolo, has won three straight matches, showcasing a strong defensive approach. Their recent acquisition of former Crew player Yaw Yeboah adds another layer to this intriguing matchup. Columbus will rely on the talents of goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, recently signed to a contract extension and a Concacaf Champions Cup Best Goalkeeper award winner.

The Concacaf Champions Cup, North America’s premier club soccer tournament, awards the champion a spot in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. LAFC has reached the final in its two previous appearances. This two-legged tie promises a thrilling contest, with both teams aiming for a crucial advantage heading into the second leg in Columbus on March 11th.

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