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The Columbus Crew advanced to their fourth MLS Cup presented by Audi in club history and will host the league’s championship match for the third time in nine years after defeating in-state rival FC Cincinnati, 3-2, in extra time in the Eastern Conference Final.
The Crew went 12-1-4 in their home stadium during the 2023 regular season and will now host Major League Soccer’s championship match at Lower.com Field for the first time in the stadium’s history on Saturday, December 9 (4pm ET, MLS Season Pass/FOX/ FOX Deportes/TSN/ RDS).
Columbus Crew overcame a 2-0 first-half deficit with a pair of goals in the final 15 minutes of regulation to force extra time in the first-ever post-season edition of the ‘Hell is Real’ rivalry. In the 75th minute, a cross off the foot of defender Julian Gressel ricocheted off of an FC Cincinnati defender and into the back of the net to cut the Crew’s deficit to one goal. Eleven minutes later, midseason Designated Player acquisition Diego Rossi leveled the score at 2-2 after a deflection from a Cincinnati defender found his right foot and was swiftly shot past keep goalkeeper.
In the 114th minute, Columbus delivered the deciding blow, as a sensational cross from Kevin Molino was headed by Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernández to a wide open Christian Ramírez, who scored the game-clinching goal and punched the Crew’s ticket to MLS Cup 2023 presented by Audi.
The Crew await the winner of the Western Conference Final between the reigning MLS Cup champions Los Angeles Football Club and Houston Dynamo FC. The Western Conference Final will be played tonight at 9:30pm ET.
