The Crew were within one goal of forcing overtime against Los Angeles FC in their CONCACAF Champions Cup, but were unable to complete the comeback.
After a two-game series, Columbus fell 4-2 on aggregate (overall goals) Tuesday in the round of 16 despite defeating LAFC 2-1 in the second leg. The Crew entered the second leg down 3-0 after a loss in Los Angeles on March 4.
The Crew were ahead 2-0 going into stoppage time on Tuesday. If they had finished with the game with a 3-0 lead, the series would have gone to overtime.
Striker Denis Bouanga ended Columbus’ hope in the 96th minute, scoring to secure the series for LAFC, but the goal didn’t matter with the Crew never finding a third goal.
Forward Jacen Russell-Rowe recorded the Crew’s first goal of the series in the 10th minute. In the final minutes before halftime, forward Diego Rossi was fouled inside LAFC’s box and scored on his awarded penalty kick.
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The Crew generated 10 shots on Tuesday.
(90+6′) Denis Bouanga secured series victory for LAFC vs Columbus Crew
In the final minutes of the second leg, striker Denis Bouanga put LAFC on the board, securing a series victory for his team by putting LAFC ahead 4-2 on aggregate goals.
(90+2′) Columbus Crew’s free kick, corner kick opportunities stopped
The Crew were awarded a free kick on a yellow card foul from LAFC’s Mark Delgado right outside LAFC’s box, and forward Diego Rossi attempted a shot on the free kick which was saved by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Lloris was also able to make a save on DeJuan Jones’ shot attempt of Columbus’ corner kick less than a minute later.
(88′) Columbus Crew make two late-game changes to lineup vs LAFC
The Crew made two more substitutions with time running out in the second leg, replacing midfielder Darlington Nagbe with DeJuan Jones and defender Malte Amundsen with Andres Herrera.
(72′) Columbus Crew’s Taha Habroune enters vs LAFC
Crew coach Wilfried Nancy replaced forward Aziel Jackson with Taha Habroune, using the team’s second substitution of the game.
(69′) Debus Bouanga’s shot attempt for LAFC goes wide of Columbus Crew’s goal
LAFC striker Denis Bouanga had the opportunity to add a third goal to his stat line in the series, finding a shot attempt following a LAFC corner kick.
From the left side of the Crew’s box, Bouanga took a shot that went far right of the goal.
(66′) Max Arfsten stopped once again by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris
Crew midfielder Max Arfsten had another opportunity to tie the aggregate score 3-3 after collecting the ball near the left corner of LAFC’s goal. Arfsten’s shot was inches from the goal line, but stopped with a save from Hugo Lloris.
The opportunity came about when forward Jacen Russell-Rowe missed wide on a header attempt inside the box.
(62′) LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris makes save attempt from Max Arfsten
From the top-left of LAFC’s box, midfielder Max Arfsten took a long shot attempt that landed in the hands of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for a LAFC save.
(60′) Mo Farsi misses on opportunity near LAFC’s goal
Crew midfielder Mo Farsi received a cross pass from forward Aziel Jackson near the right corner of LAFC’s goal. Farsi attempted to gain control and create a shot, but LAFC’s defense stopped Farsi near the goal line and Farsi hit the ball out of play.
(56′) Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira leaves game vs LAFC
Crew defender Steven Moreira had to leave to second leg matchup with an unknown injury inside the Crew’s box. Moreira was able to walk off the field on his own after bein evaluated by medical staff and was replaced by Yevhen Cheberko.
Columbus Crew down 3-2 in aggregate vs LAFC
The Crew made up two goals in the first half of their second leg matchup against LAFC in the round of 16 series. LAFC still holds a 3-2 advanatge.
First half stats:
Shots: Crew (12), LAFC (3)
Shots on goal: Crew (2), LAFC (2)
Fouls: Crew (6), LAFC (4)
Possession rate: Crew (66%), LAFC (34%)
(45′) Columbus Crew’s Diego Rossi scores on penalty kick vs LAFC
Crew forward Diego Rossi finished on a penalty kick opportunity in the final minutes of the first half, cutting Columbus’ aggregate deficit to 3-2 against LAFC in the round of 16.
The Crew were awarded a penalty kick following a foul from LAFC’s Eddie Segura against Rossi inside LAFC’s box. While arguing the call, LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman received a yellow card.
(40′) Max Arfsten’s attempted shot saved by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris
With the ball going out of play, Crew midfielder Max Arfsten created a header opportunity, sending a shot high toward LAFC’s goal from the left side. LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris caught the ball in midair, shutting down the chance.
(36′) Columbus Crew’s Jacen Russell-Rowe sends shot too high vs LAFC
On a pass from defender Mo Farsi, forward Jacen Russell-Rowe had another opportunity to record a one-touch goal but sent his shot too high, going above LAFC’s goal and out of play.
Russell-Rowe leads the Crew with shots in the second leg, recording three with one goal.
(10′) Columbus Crew scores first goal vs LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup series
Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe found the back of the net off a cross from forward Diego Rossi.
From the right sideline, Rossi battled to get a pass into LAFC’s box. Russell-Rowe was between two LAFC players, but managed to find the ball and score a one-touch goal.
LAFC still holds a 3-1 aggregate goal advantage in the round of 16 series.
(7′) Columbus Crew miss on consecutive corner kick opportunities
The Crew were awarded the first corner kick of the game when forward Aziel Jackson’s shot was deflected over the goal line by LAFC.
After failing to convert on the first corner kick, LAFC hit the ball out once again, setting up another Crew attempt. On this attempt, forward Diego Rossi took a header shot that went over LAFC’s goal.
(3′) Patrick Schulte opens vs LAFC with save for Columbus Crew
Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte kept LAFC’s Denis Bouanga off the board early with a save on Bouanga’s shot from inside Columbus’ box.
Bouanga was able to find an uncontested shot inside the box after scoring two goals against Columbus in the first leg of the series. Taking his shot from the left-center of the box, the went right into Schulte’s chest for a save.
Who is out for Columbus Crew vs LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup?
The Crew are without defender Rudy Camacho for the fifth-consecutive game, with Camacho still dealing with a thigh injury suffered during the preseason.
Goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen is still recovering from a broken finger injury from the preseason. Columbus’ backup goalkeepers for Patrick Schulte against LAFC are Evan Bush and Stanislav Lapkes.
Columbus’ only signing of 2025, Lassi Lappalainen and Amar Sejdic, are also left off the roster for the LAFC series.
Who are the referees for Columbus Crew vs LAFC?
Here are the officials for the Crew vs LAFC tonight:
- Referee: Ivan Barton
- Assistant Referee 1: David Moran
- Assistant Referee 2: Henri Pupiro
- Fourth Official: Filiberto Martinez
- VAR: Enrique Santander
- Assistant VAR: Oscar Macias
LAFC starting lineup vs Columbus Crew in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Here is the starting 11 for LAFC vs Columbus:
- GK: Hugo Lloris
- DF: Ryan Hollingshead
- DF: Aaron Long
- DF: Sergi Palencia
- DF: Eddie Segura
- MF: Marky Delgado
- MF: Jesus Igor
- MF: Timothy Tillman
- FW: Denis Bouanga
- FW: Jeremy Ebobisse
- FW: David Martinez
Columbus Crew starting lineup vs LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Here is the starting 11 for Columbus vs LAFC:
- GK: Patrick Schulte
- DF: Malte Amundsen
- DF: Mo Farsi
- DF: Steven Moreira
- MF: Max Arfsten
- MF: Dylan Chambost
- MF: Darlington Nagbe
- MF: Sean Zawadzki
- FW: Aziel Jackson
- FW: Diego Rossi
- FW: Jacen Rusell-Rowe
What does Columbus Crew need to do to advance in CONCACAF Champions Cup?
If the Crew fail to defeat LAFC by three or more goals in the second leg, they will be eliminated.
The Crew are also unable to advance with three-goal victory today if LAFC scores at least once. Champions Cup’s first tiebreaker is away goals, and the Crew failed to record a road goal in the first leg, putting any aggregate-goal tie in which LAFC scores during the second leg in LAFC’s favor.
If the Crew defeat LAFC 3-0 in regulation today, the game will go to two overtime periods, and if the tie remains to penalty kicks.
What is CONCACAF Champions Cup?
The Champions Cup is an annual competition run by CONCACAF, the regional governing body in soccer for North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The tournament includes 27 teams from 10 countries.
Each round, up until the final, will include two two games, and the winner will be determined by the combined number of goals scored by the two teams.
The final will consist of one match, with the winner qualifying for the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
How to listen to Columbus Crew vs LAFC radio broadcast
The Crew vs. LAFC English-speaking radio broadcast will be on Alt 105.7 FM and available via the iHeartRadio app. Columbus’ regular radio broadcaster Chris Doran will be on the call.
The Spanish radio broadcast can be found on La Grande 103.1 FM FM and the La Grande radio app with Juan Valladares doing play-by-play.
How to watch Columbus Crew vs LAFC
Crew vs LAFC will be on Fox Sports 1 via Tubi. A Spanish broadcast will be available on VIX.
When does Columbus Crew vs LAFC kick off?
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11 at Lower.com Field.
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