On the Ground in Columbus
LAFC landed in Columbus around 11 pm local time to begin preparations for Saturday’s MLS Cup final vs. the Crew.
Several LAFC players attended MLS Media Day at Lower.com Field before the Club traveled to the Columbus Crew facility for an afternoon training session.
“We are here again,” LAFC captain Carlos Vela. “We are in a really good spot, but of course, we know we are playing away and playing against a really good team. We have to bring all we have for Saturday and we have to find a way to win. What is most important is getting the job done. We believe in our chances, and we will do our best to play our best game.”
As the team arrived in the host city, players could feel the anticipation building – especially Polish midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, who is in his first MLS season and living the MLS Cup experience for the first time.
“You can really tell there is something special coming,” Bogusz said. “You can tell it is exciting, it is in the air. This is my first playoff situation in my life, so I am enjoying it.”
The Black & Gold continued their preparations with meetings and video sessions at the hotel after practice.
Familiar Faces
The Columbus Crew attack is led by two former LAFC players who have both scored important goals throughout the playoffs and combined to push the Crew past Cincinnati last week and into the MLS Cup. Diego Rossi and Christian Ramirez enjoyed success in Los Angeles, before playing in Europe and then returning to MLS with a new home in Ohio.
“We had a really good relationship both on and off the field when he was with us,” Vela said about the 2020 MLS Golden Boot winner Rossi. “We were really happy to help him grow as a player and to send him to Europe. [Rossi left LAFC for Turkey’s Fenerbahçe in 2021] Now he’s on the other side, so Saturday he will not be my friend. I will try to beat him like I did the last game against [Hector] Herrera.”
The second Designated Player in LAFC history, Rossi remains the Club’s second all-time leading scorer.
“They have so many good players and so many dynamic players,” Long said. “A few of those came through LAFC, like Rossi and Ramirez. It is going to take a lot of team defending and capitalizing on certain moments to stop them.”
