Columbus Crew - LAFC live online: MLS Cup Final 2023 | Score, stats and updates

Cristian Olivera does well to skip past a Columbus tackle but the assistant's flag is up on the far side.

Vela clips the free kick into the box and Murillo wins the first ball, knocking it down to Bouanga. He hits it first time but it flies over the crossbar. 

A first shot of the night for the Golden Boot winner. 

Malte Amundsen

The Crew defender is booked for that tackle on Vela.

We hit the hour mark and LAFC are starting to enjoy a little spell of possession. 

They play the ball around midfield, until Amundsen clips Vela. Free kick to LAFC. 

No second yellow for Tillman, and he is immediately substituted by Steve Cherundolo. 

He is replaced by Matteusz Bogusz. 

There's a big collusion in the midfield that leaves Rossi crumpled on the ground. He was on the receiving end of a late challenge from Tillman, who has already been booked. 

The Crew crowd are demanding a second yellow card!

Another long ball forward from LAFC drops at the feet of Carlos Vela on the edge of the box. He hits the ball sweetly but Schulte gets down well to save. 

Chance for LAFC, a long ball to Bouanga that finds its way through to Olivera. 

Just as the forward is about to shoot Amundsen gets back to make a brilliant sliding block. Sensational defending from the Columbus man. 

The Crew work the ball out to Aidan Morris who tries his luck from 30 yards. Easy save for Crepau. 

More good play from Cucho Hernandez on the right wins a corner kick for his team...

Timothy Tillman

The LAFC midfielder is booked after a late tackle on Nagbe, although thecard appeared to be the result of a culmination of offences. 

Kellyn Acosta is a little over-eager in the midfield and gives away a free kick. That's better from LAFC though, trying to make things difficult for the hosts. 

The Crew are turning the screw once again, looking to bury LAFC at the start of the second half.

The movement between Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi is proving too much for the LAFC backline to deal with and the Columbus wingbacks are finding so much space. 

Carlos Vela

The LAFC captain is booked for a nasty tackle on Cucho. 

Cucho is hacked down but the Crew play on with Yeboah, who charges into the box and clips the ball past Crepau. LAFC need a spectacular clearance from Palacios to prevent a third. 

Carlos Vela clips the ball forward from deep but the Crew defend brilliantly.

The Crew are on the attack now, with Cucho...

Nearly a third for the Crew as Cucho Hernandez fires a dangerous low ball across the face of goal, forcing Acosta to make a desperate recovery block. LAFC get the ball clear, but it's a good start from the hosts. 

LAFC needed a big response in the second half but it's the Crew starting fastest!

And we're back!

The second half of the 2023 MLS Cup Final is underway. It all comes down to this...

WATCH: Amundsen and Yeboah combine to double advantage

Wow! What a pass from Malte Amundsen to find the on-rushing Yeboah and give the Crew a two-goal lead. It was a sensational pass from Columbus but the result of a dominant first half showing from the team, pulling LAFC from side to side. 

It's Wilfried Nancy's way of playing and it's working for the Crew so far. 

WATCH: Cucho Hernandez gives Columbus the lead

Columbus Crew dominated from the start but it took a 31st-minute penalty from Cucho Hernandez to open the scoring. The Columbian forward has a brilliant record from the spot and he made no mistake on the biggest stage. 

Well, what can you say about that?

Columbus head coach Wilfried Nancy can scarcely have dreamt of a better first half that that. His side completely dominated the opening 45 minutes and have a deserved 2-0 lead at the break. 

For LAFC, huge improvement is needed if they are to get back into this Game. What will Steve Cherundolo do at the break?

Columbus clear the corner kick and that'll be it for the first half!

Half time in Ohio, the Crew are 45 minutes away from a third MLS Cup!

LAFC come forward one more time, a brilliant run from Bouanga. He plays the ball out to the left and Palacios tries to play across the face of goal. 

It takes a deflection and bounces agonisingly wide of the post. Corner to LAFC...

Chiellini tries to play the ball forward to Olivera but his pass is cut out. 

Even the experienced Italian looks off the pace for LAFC today. 

Again, the Crew play the corner short and look to keep possession. Acosta tries to win the ball back for LAFC but gives away a free kick on the halfway line. 

More good play from Diego Rossi, who wins another corner kick from the Crew. 

There will be another three minutes of this breathless first half. 

LAFC win a free kick inside the Crew half. 

Carlos Vela dinks the ball in and LAFC win the first ball, causing a moment of panic in the box. Schulte eventually comes out to grab the ball and launch a counter-attack with Cucho. 

Vela does brilliantly to get back and clear the danger. 

Neat turn from Bouanga to skip past Yeboah but he's quickly caught and dispossessed by Moreira. The LAFC forward has had very little to work with so far.

The Crew have a two-goal lead but they are continuing to push, manipulating the ball from side to side. Yeboah and Farsi are always available as out out-ball on the wings, keeping things moving for the hosts. 

Darling Nagbe is fouled in the midfield, winning a free kick about 40 yards from goal. 

The LAFC wingers, Bouanga and Olivera, have switched sides. 

A testament to the need for LAFC to change something, anything, after a poor opening 40 minutes. 

First chance for Olivera to run at the Crew defence, getting to the touchline and pulling back a cross to the edge. Bouanga finds Hollingshead but his driven cross evades everyone and goes out for a goal kick. 

Yeboah goal doubles Crew lead

Heavy rain is falling now but the home fans won't be worried about that. Incredible atmosphere at Lower.com Field now!

Was there really any doubt? The Colombian forward extends his personal penalty record to 11 from the last 11, and this must be the most important of the lot. 

The Crew has dominated and have their lead. What do LAFC do now?

Cucho penalty hands the Crew the lead!

It will be Cucho Hernandez to take the spot kick, looking to open the scoring in the MLS Cup final...

LAFC are furious about the decision, imploring the referee to consult with VAR. 

But the VAR officials have already concluded their review, it's a penalty!

PENALTY: Columbus Crew

Handball in the box, Diego Palacios!

It looked harsh, but it clipped his hand. Penalty to Columbus Crew!

LAFC clear the corner, but the Crew are right back at them. They find Matan on the edge of the box and Chiellini is forced to charge out of defence to block the danger. 

Columbus are back on the offensive with Farsi on the right. Cucho does brilliantly to slip the ball through to Farsi but Palacios just gets back to clear the danger. 

Corner kick to Columbus...

Strong running from Yeboah on the right flank but he can't quite conjure a real chance from his effort. 

Clever play from Diego Rossi to jink through the midfield and hit a low shot towards the near post, looking to catch Crepau out. It hits the side netting, but it was good play from Rossi. 

LAFC are really struggling to get up the field and build any play. The intensity of the Crew press is strangling the holders and making life difficult. 

And just as I write that, there's a first half-chance for Carlos Vela. He hits a first-time shot from 18 yards out but it's blocked by a Crew defender. 

Close! Cucho Hernandez finds space on the edge of the box and lashes a fierce right-footed shot towards goal. 

It flies just wide of Crepau's right post but it certainly has the LAFC keeper worried. 

The hosts play the corner short but it's wasted. LAFC win a goal kick and a chance to release the pressure. 

Columbus Crew win a corner kick but Aidan Morris is down after getting a knock. 

He'll be fine to continue. Rossi to take the corner...

Ryan Hollingshead wins a good aerial ball in the middle of the field but, again, it's the Crew who pounce on the loose ball and regain possession. 

This Columbus time often give the impression of having 12 men on the field. 

We really haven't seen much from LAFC so far, highlighting how well the Crew have started. 

Farsi does well in a one-on-one against Bouanga, winning a free kick off the LAFC forward. 

Strong running from Nagbe to bring the ball out of defence. 

Columbus are look a little more patient now after a lightening-fast start, but still dominating the ball. 

Diego Rossi does well to hold off Sanchez and keep the ball. The home crowd are enjoying Rossi's performance so far. 

First half chance of the final!

Mohamed Farsi whips in a cross from the right, finding the head of Moreira. He tries to flick the ball goalwards but gets the angles wrong and it flies out for a goal kick. 

Columbus well on top now. 

Cucho Hernandez has shown his versatility so far, drifting out to the flanks to pick up unusually positions and force the LAFC defenders to decide whether or not to follow. He's leaving space for Diego Rossi to exploit in behind, another headache for the LAFC backline. 

LAFC's front three combine as Bouanga plays a raking ball across to Vela, who backheels neatly to Olivera. For a second it looks like he might have space for a shot but Crew do well to block the angle. 

Camacho gives away a foul on Vela on the halfway line, LAFC look to play quickly and get on the offensive. 

It comes to nothing. LAFC have looked a little rushed in their play in the opening stages. 

Brilliant counter-attack from the Crew finds Cucho in space on the right. He fires in a teasing low cross but Giorgio Chiellini does brilliantly to get back and block the delivery. 

Top defending from the Italian. 

First bit of possession for LAFC now but the ball is soon lofted, rather aimlessly, towards Vela. Crew clear easily. 

The Crew are pinning LAFC back on the edge of their own box, showing good patience to move the ball from side to side. 

Aidan Morris charges into the box and is felled by Murillo, but referee waves away the appeals. 

Columbus are looking composed in the opening staged, dominating possession in their typical style. 

Good hold-up play from Cucho Hernandez finds Rossi on the edge of the box. He takes a shot but it's blocked by Chiellini, out for a Crew corner. 

Ambitious through ball from Carmacho, looking for a central run of Yeboah from the left. LAFC get across well to clear the danger. 

Throw-in to LAFC. 

Palacios gives away a free kick on the halfway line for a clumsy challenge on former LAFC star Diego Rossi. 

No love lost there!

Intense start to the Game with tackles flying in from both sides. 

Denis Bouanga gets the ball on the left flank for the first time but he's well-marshalled by the Crew defence, drawing a huge roar from the home support. 

Incredible noise in Lower.com Stadium for this one, stands packed with the yellow and black of Columbus Crew. The Nordecke supporters group are certainly making themselves heard!

And we're off!

The 2023 MLS Cup Final is officially underway...

The teams are out, the stands are packed, the stage is set. 

We're nearly ready for kick-off in the 2023 MLS Cup Final!

The Columbus Crew supporters unveil a tifo claiming to be "The original Black and Gold". 

It's nearly time!

The teams are out at Lower.com Field for the 2023 MLS Cup. There's a capacity crowd in Ohio and the Columbus Crew support are making quite the noise. 

This looks set to be a cracker!

Kick-off at Lower.com Field is fast approaching now and the stands are packed with expectant supporters. Columbus Crew had a few issues with ticket sales earlier this week but it's good to see that the home support has packed out the stadium. 

We're just minutes away from the 2023 MLS Cup...

LAFC stars put through their paces

Is there a more devastating attacking duo in MLS than Denis Bouanga and Carlos Vela?

Well incredibly, the former can equal the latter's MLS single-season scoring record with a goal today. Bouanga is currently on 37, while Vela struck 38 in the 2019 season.

MLS

Kellyn Acosta eyes another MLS Cup title with LAFC

USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta starts for LAFC today in the MLS Cup Final, looking to win back-to-back titles. Acosta, who opened the scoring in last year's final, revealed earlier this week that he believes LAFC can build a dynasty in MLS. 

He said: “People like winners. If you look at other Sports, people might not know much about the Patriots but they like them. The Warriors, the Lakers; we’re trying to keep that tradition alive here in LA."

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Atmosphere builds in Columbus

Few expected Columbus Crew to mount a series title charge this season, but new head coach Wilfried Nancy has exceeded all expectations in his first year in charge. He is beloved by the Columbus fanbase and they will be looking to make themselves heard today!

MLS

Columbus Crew - LAFC en vivo: Final de la MLS Cup 2023 en directo

We will be bringing you full live coverage right here, but Spanish-speaking fans can also get minute-by-minute updates from AS USA Latino...

Follow en español

MLS CUP

MLS Cup 2023 stars to watch: Carlos Vela, Giorgio Chiellini, Cucho Hernández...

The 2023 MLS Cup Final brings together two of the strongest squads in the league, both bursting with experienced stars and thrilling forwards. From Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, to three-time MLS Cup champion Darlington Nagbe, here are the players to watch out for...

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Columbus Crew midfield looking to drive them to glory

Wilfried Nancy's front-foot, progressive style has won plaudits and plenty of points in his maiden season with Columbus Crew, but their success has been built on very solid foundations. The midfield duo of Darlington Nagbe and Aidan Morris have a lot of ground to cover in the middle of the park but their dynamism and reading of the Game make them the engine room of this Crew side. 

LAFC co-owner meets the fans

As we saw in a recent social media video, LAFC co-owner Will Ferrell is savouring every moment of the MLS Cup. The Hollywood legend is out on the streets in Columbus to meet the hardcore LAFC supporters who made the trip to Ohio for today's game. 

MLS

2023 MLS Cup final: times, how to watch on TV and stream online

No surprises so far as both teams named unchanged sides, but there is certain to be plenty of drama once the action starts in around an hour's time. 

We will be bringing you full live coverage of the 2023 MLS Cup Final, but you can also watch or stream all the action with Apple TV and the MLS Season Pass. Here's everything you need to know...

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No changes for LAFC in MLS Cup Final

As expected, LAFC also name an unchanged side for the game. Carlos Vela captains the side in what could be his final appearance for the club, flanked by Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera. 

LAFC set to name unchanged side

No team news from the MLS Cup holders just yet, but we're expecting more of the same from Steve Cherundolo's side. LAFC are expected to stick with the experienced Giorgio Chiellini at the back, in place of Aaraon Long. 

Columbus Crew starting XI

Here's how Wilfried Nancy's team line up this evening. It's a full-strength starting XI, unchanged from the Eastern Conference final victory over Cincinnati. 

MLS

What is Columbus Crew Day? Gov. Mike DeWine announces MLS Cup celebration

It's Columbus Crew Day, officially!

Earlier today Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that he had designated Saturday, 9 December 2023 as Columbus Crew Day to mark their MLS Cup clash against LAFC. 

The demand for tickets has been extraordinary and the atmosphere at Lower.com Field should be something special. 

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LAFC sights set on back-to-back titles

And here are the visitors, reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC. Steve Cherundolo's side struggled for consistency in the regular season but they have shown their class in the playoffs, beating Seattle Sounders and Open Cup winners Houston Dynamo on the way to MLS Cup. 

Hosts arrive for 2023 MLS Cup

Wilfried Nancy's Columbus Crew side are on home turf and looking confident as they step off the team bus. The Eastern Conference champions receive a rapturous reception from their adoring home support and are looking to bring the title back to Ohio after three years away. 

MLS CUP FINAL

How many times has LAFC won the MLS Cup?

Today's final brings together two teams of high quality, but with very different back-stories. Columbus were one of MLS' original founding clubs, while LAFC are one of the more recent arrivals in the league. 

Nevertheless, they have achieved pretty impressive success during their time in MLS...

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LAFC focused on another MLS Cup triumph

Steve Cherundolo's side are looking to become the first team in a decade to retain MLS Cup, something that would see them join a select group of teams to go back-to-back. They can call upon experienced stars like Carlos Vela and Giorgio Chiellini, but no one is taking success at Lower.com Field for granted. 

MLS CUP

How many times have Columbus Crew won the MLS Cup?

Columbus Crew and LAFC go head-to-head in the MLS Cup final at Lower.com Field on Saturday, where the Major League Soccer season will come to a close and the new champion will be crowned.

LAFC are the reigning champions, but Columbus Crew have their own history of MLS Cup triumphs. Here's everything you need to know...

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Home support making itself known

The streets of Columbus are alive today as the city prepares to host the 2023 MLS Cup. Earlier today Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Saturday, 9 December 2023 is officially Columbus Crew Day and the home support will be hoping that they really have something to celebrate later this evening.

Hello and welcome to AS USA, where we will be bringing you full live coverage of the 2023 MLS Cup Final. 

I'm Will Gittins and I'll be taking you through all the action from Lower.com Field as Columbus Crew take on LAFC.

This year's final looks set to be one of the most thrilling we've seen, with two high-quality, evenly-balanced teams battling it out.