The Columbus Crew beat Philadelphia Union 3-1 in front of 12,784 fans at Lower.com Field to reach the Leagues Cup 2024 Final. It was the Crew’s third major final in less than a year, following their 2023 MLS Cup title and a runner-up finish at the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Match Recap: Moments That Changed the Game
Diego Rossi opened the scoring in the 12th minute, heading in the rebound after Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake saved Cucho Hernández’s initial shot. Philadelphia leveled it in the 32nd minute when Dániel Gazdag pounced on a misplaced pass out of the Columbus defense. Rossi restored the lead before halftime, finishing a give-and-go with Christian Ramírez in the 43rd minute.
Cucho Hernández put the result out of reach in the 53rd minute, finishing off his own rebound after Blake had blocked his first header attempt. From there, Columbus controlled the remainder of the match.
Tactical Insight: Possession vs. High Press
Columbus, under head coach Wilfried Nancy, built their attacks through patient possession and quick combination play in midfield. Philadelphia, managed by Jim Curtin, set up in a 4-4-2 and looked to press high and hit Columbus on the counter — a plan that produced their equalizer.
Philadelphia went into the match without striker Tai Baribo, who was suspended after picking up a red card in the team’s previous match against Mazatlán. His absence limited the Union’s attacking options up front.
Physical and Emotional Intensity
The semifinal was a tightly contested, physical affair typical of a knockout match, with both sides committing tactical fouls to disrupt rhythm. Columbus managed the pace of the game better as it wore on, closing it out with composure.
Columbus head coach Wilfried Nancy reflected on the win afterward. “This is about a winning team,” Nancy said. “This is the mentality that we have, so hopefully it’s going to keep going, but really proud of what we are doing here.”
What Comes Next
Columbus advances to the Leagues Cup Final as hosts, and the win also secured the club’s berth in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup. For Philadelphia Union, the loss sends them to the third-place match against Colorado Rapids, with a 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup spot still on the line for the winner.
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