Leagues Cup Final: How to Watch Columbus Crew vs. LAFC
The 2024 Leagues Cup Final pits the reigning MLS champions, Columbus Crew, against their 2023 MLS Cup rivals, Los Angeles FC, in a rematch that promises high stakes and intense action.
The Crew, who are hosting the final at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, will be looking to avenge their 5-1 defeat at the hands of LAFC in their previous meeting earlier this year. LAFC, on the other hand, will be hoping to overcome their recent struggles against the Crew and claim the coveted Leagues Cup trophy.
Leading up to the tournament, both the Crew and LAFC were considered strong contenders for the title, and their presence in the final is a testament to their consistent performance throughout the competition. LAFC's journey to the final has been particularly impressive, having dominated their knockout round opponents, winning their four matches by a combined score of 13-1, including a convincing 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the semi-final.
Despite LAFC's dominant run, the Crew have historically held the upper hand. Beyond their victory in the 2023 MLS Cup, Columbus also inflicted LAFC's only home defeat of the year in their July meeting. Furthermore, the Crew have established themselves as a formidable force at home, suffering only a single loss at Lower.com Field in 2024. They eased past the Philadelphia Union in their semi-final clash, setting the stage for another epic battle against LAFC.
This highly anticipated final carries even more weight than usual, with both the Crew and LAFC earning qualification for next year's Concacaf Champions Cup competition, a prestigious tournament featuring the best teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Match Details:
Date: Sunday, 25 August
Kick-off: 7:15 PM Eastern Time
Venue: Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio
How to Watch:
The final will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. For viewers seeking a Spanish-language broadcast, Univision will provide coverage on linear television.
Third-Place Match:
The Philadelphia Union will face the Colorado Rapids in the Leagues Cup third-place match, also taking place on Sunday, 25 August, with a kick-off at 4:30 PM Eastern Time at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. This match will also be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The Union, who previously triumphed over Liga MX giants Monterrey in last year's third-place match to secure their spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup, will be hoping to repeat their success.
Leagues Cup Explained:
The Leagues Cup, a month-long tournament, brings together the top professional soccer clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX, the Mexican top flight, in a World Cup-style format.
Initially a smaller event, the Leagues Cup was expanded in 2023 to include all 47 teams from MLS and Liga MX, transforming it into a major continental competition. Inter Miami CF, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, emerged victorious in the inaugural 47-team tournament.
The 2024 edition followed a similar structure, with 29 MLS and 18 Liga MX clubs split into 15 groups across the East and West regions. The group stage concluded on 6 August, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds, which began on 7 August.
The Leagues Cup Final, scheduled for 25 August, marks the culmination of this thrilling tournament, with the victor claiming the coveted title of Leagues Cup champion.
