Columbus Crew demolished LAFC’s unbeaten home record as they routed the Black and Gold 5-1 at BMO Stadium Saturday, June 13 in their first matchup since the 2023 MLS Cup Final. The only bright side for the home team, who also accumulated two red cards during the game, was that their conference rivals, LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake also lost their matches leaving them in a three-way tie for first place in the West. Of the 17 shots taken by LAFC, the only goal scored was a conciliation prize from Nathan Ordaz who came on as a substitute for a frustrated Denís Bouanga in the 80th minute. “A very poor performance in all categories and phases,” head coach Steve Cherundolo stated. “Columbus was better in every moment tonight.
Sometimes it’s better to get it all out in one game. I’d rather take it all in one night than stretch it out over a month,” Cherundolo concluded.
1⃣2⃣3⃣4⃣5⃣@ColumbusCrew drop 5 goals against the reigning Western Conference Champs. 💪 pic.twitter.com/byHoHcn1qw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 14, 2024
Adding to the sour taste of loss was the fact that three of Columbus’ goals came from former LAFC players, two from Christian Ramirez and one from Diego Rossi. Ramirez headed in his first goal in the 38th minute after splitting Maxime Chanot and Ryan Hollingshead in the box. Painful as it was to see a hometown hero score from the opponent's side, the first half was just a preview of things to come for the next.
In the 56th minute, Cucho Hernandez struck a superb shot from outside the box past a stunned Hug Lloris for his 12th goal of the year. Four minutes Columbus struck again. This time it was former LAFC striker and fan favorite Rossi who converted a missed clearance from Eduard Atuesta in the box. Respectfully, Rossi did not celebrate his goal.
Cucho Hernández (2023-24) joined Jeff Cunningham (2001-02) and Stern John (1998-99) as the only @ColumbusCrew players to record at least 20 goal contributions in consecutive seasons with his goal and assist against LAFC tonight. pic.twitter.com/KvgWn58S0Y
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) July 14, 2024
The bloodbath continued relentlessly as the Crew dismantled LAFC’s defenses brick by brick. Ramirez added his second goal of the night in the 84th minute immediately after LAFC defender Sergi Palencia was sent off with a second yellow for a rough tackle.
Ordaz scored a minute later grabbing a rebound, but Columbus scored one more before the final whistle blew. Alex Matan added on the fifth and final goal of the night for Columbus in the 89th minute. Just seconds before the merciful end, LAFC defender Jesús Murillo was issued a straight red card for his involvement in a dispute on the field. He and Palencia will miss a pivotal MLS match next week.
Columbus, who dominated the possession and run of play from the start of the night, handed LAFC their worst loss in the history of the young club. Rather than dwelling in the pain and misfortune, Cherundolo and his team are choosing to focus on the lessons to be learned from the reality check. “It didn’t hurt us too much in our division,” Cherundolo said. “We’ve won a lot of games as of late.
We can be good. And we need to start talking about that internally,” Cherundolo said.
LAFC face a short turnaround and recovery time. They host Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, July 17 at 7:45pm at BMO Stadium for a top-of-the-table match. “Tonight can mean so little if we respond in the right way,” LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead said.