This is the big one. The Columbus Crew will host LAFC at Lower.com Field on Saturday in the 2023 MLS Cup Final. The Black & Gold have hosted the MLS Cup Final three other times in 2001 (between the LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes), 2015 and 2020 making Columbus second overall in total MLS Cup Finals hosted.

The Crew entered the match with only defender Will Sands sidelined due to injury. Sands continues to recover from an early ACL injury. The Black & Gold have taken the last two matches the full distance, needing 120 minutes to defeat both Orlando City SC and FC Cincinnati. Defender Rudy Camacho was substituted off going into extra time against Cincinnati. Heavy legs could be a concern for Columbus, but the team’s performance in extra time seems to show a well-conditioned group. 

Here is how we believe the Crew will line up against LAFC:

From the MLS Next Pro Final to the MLS Cup Final, goalkeeper Patrick Schulte hopes to win back-to-back titles. The 2022 MLS SuperDraft pick has been integral to the Black & Gold’s success and their desire to play possession soccer from the back. Schulte has grown throughout the season, and the victory against Cincinnati was proof of that. Schulte made a huge error, gifting Cincinnati the victory in the regular season, but during the playoffs, Schulte made two massive saves to keep Columbus’ hopes alive and ultimately secure a berth in the MLS Cup Final.

The Crew center backs will need to be aware of LAFC winger Denis Bouanga at all times. Center back Steven Moreira will have to balance drifting into the attack with counter attacking defending responsibilities as Bouanga lurks on his side of the field. Joining Moreira will be defenders Malte Amundsen and Rudy Camacho. This backline has proven they can make the plays they need offensively and defensively to keep the Black & Gold in games, and head coach Wilfried Nancy will not mess with their chemistry in this match.

The biggest two question marks in this match will be what Nancy does with forward Christian Ramirez and wing back Julian Gressel. Those two players absolutely changed the match in the Crew’s favor against Cincinnati coming off the bench, and it is expected that LAFC will cede possession to Columbus. A proficient crosser and a poacher in the penalty box could tip the balance in favor of the home side. All this being said, Nancy will roll with the starting lineup that got him to the MLS Cup Final, with wing backs Mohamed Farsi and Yaw Yebaoh. Expect Gressel to come in for Farsi after LA’s legs get heavier to switch the tactics of the team. 

Unlike the wing back position, there is no question who will be manning the midfield: Aidan Morris and Darlington Nagbe. Nagbe has unfinished business in Columbus, as he was not able to be on the field in 2020 which led to the emergence of the young Morris. After winning the Eastern Conference championship, Nagbe was in tears, which shows how much this team and run to the MLS Cup Final means to him.

The attacking trio of forwards Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi, joined by midfielder Alexandru Matan, will get the start in this match. While Ramirez deserves to get a shout to start in this match, like Gressel, Nancy will reserve Ramirez for a substitute role and change the profile of the attack in significant ways after wearing LAFC down for 60 minutes. Matan has had a wonderful, albeit inconsistent season, playing much better in Columbus than on the road. Hernandez has the ability to be the best player on the pitch. Rossi can remind the LAFC faithful of his goal scoring prowess as he seeks to best his former club.