It’s an MLS Cup 2023 rematch on Saturday for the Columbus Crew as they travel to the West Coast to face LAFC. Both Columbus and LAFC have continued their fine form after MLS Cup and each side is squarely in the Supporters Shield race and in the conversation for the best team in MLS. This match represents an opportunity for Columbus and LAFC to send a message to the rest of the league as they head towards the summer transfer window and Leagues Cup. Each side has won 4 straight matches in dominant fashion, making this a fascinating matchup. Below is everything you need to prepare for a summer showdown in Southern California. 

Los Angeles FC at a Glance:

Record: 13-4-4, 43 points

League Form: W-W-W-D-W

Leading Scorer: Denis Bouanga (14

Assist Leader: Denis Bouanga (8)

Player to Watch: Denis Bouanga

Bouanga is unquestionably the man to watch on Saturday for the Black & Gold. The 29-year-old Gabon international has exploded since joining LAFC in the summer of 2022. Bouanga has scored 55 goals and added 22 assists in 82 matches for LAFC. This leads to a ridiculous number of .93 goal involvements per match for LAFC. Bouanga arrived after an extensive career in France’s first and second divisions, which no doubt gave him the experience necessary to excel in MLS. Bouanga is a demon in attacking transition, with enough speed and 1v1 ability to torment even the best 1v1 defenders. Bouanga is also an excellent finisher who is capable of finishing in a variety of ways. He is also deceptively tough to track with his movement in the box. Bouanga is the focal point of the LAFC attack on Saturday and the Crew will need to do a good job of defending him in and out of transition to gain a massive three points on the road. 

How LAFC play: 

Steve Cherundolo is in his third year at the helm in Hollywood and is a hot name for the USMNT coaching vacancy. Cherundolo has led LAFC’s revolution in tactical style from a ball-dominant one to a more transition-dominant one. Cherundolo has led LAFC to back-to-back MLS Cup appearances and has them poised at the top of the league again thus far in 2024. 

LAFC and Cherundolo play a 4-3-3 formation week in and week out. Since I expect the Crew to be the dominant team in possession, I’ll spend a lot of time talking about LAFC’s tendencies out of possession. Whenever possible, LAFC looks to apply pressure high up the field to create turnovers and keep their opponents from being comfortable on the ball. We have seen this strategy wreak havoc on the Black & Gold in recent weeks. When LAFC can do this effectively, it often leads to high percentage chances for their attackers against disorganized opponents. Once this pressure is beaten, LAFC looks to recover with a number behind the ball and usually fluctuates between a 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 shape with their wingers dropping deeper to defend in wide areas. The wingers will look to Shepard the ball inside so their attacking midfielders can pounce on errant passes and miscues from their opponents. When this happens, LAFC’s attack springs to life with attackers flooding forward in an attempt to catch opponents out of possession. 

When LAFC have sustained possession, they typically operate in sort of a 2-3-2-3 formation. Their outside backs will push high and wide and their wingers will move centrally and up to occupy the backline. This shape gives the attackers the ability to threaten in behind the backline and gives midfielders the space and freedom to move to get on the ball. This formation is particularly of note because it will leave the Crew’s three center backs 1v1 with LAFC front runners. 

How the Crew can win:

While far from being a must-win match, this match is a really, really, really, nice one to win for the Black & Gold. Not only would it solidify their status in the Supporters Shield race thanks to their games in hand, but it would also send a message to the rest of the league that there’s a clear best team in the league. The Crew has also shown an ability to get big wins on the road in all competitions this year, meaning that this is a winnable game for Columbus. That being said, it will not be easy and there are a few things they’ll have to do well in order to do so. 

1. Create Chances in Possession: LAFC is dangerous in transition, but this game will be won and lost with the Crew’s ability to create chances out of their possession play. Much like MLS Cup, the Crew will have the ball the vast majority of the match. This being the case, they need to create chances like they did in MLS Cup. Look for the Crew to move the ball quickly from side to side attacking LAFC pressure and then playing through it early and often. In MLS Cup, the Crew had a field day playing through central areas of the field. If they can do so again, it could be a long day for LAFC. 
2. Rest Defense and Defending in Transition: This is legitimately a huge point for the Black & Gold in every match, so it won’t be anything new for them. LAFC are lethal in transition and the Crew’s playing style is susceptible to good transition play. Look for the Crew to quickly apply pressure once they lose it. Also, look for the Crew to lose the ball in “good areas” where it’s incredibly difficult for their opponents to launch counterattacks from. 
3. Play through Pressure: I have a sneaking suspicion that LAFC is going to try and press really high in this match. It’s a huge game, they’ll have the home crowd at their back and frankly, it’s worked against the Crew in just about every big road game they’ve played thus far in 2024. Tigres away, Monterrey away, Pachuca away, and Miami away all saw the Crew pressed high and conceding early. LAFC may try and replicate that. Look for the Black & Gold to have a plan to play though the press, even if that’s playing more directly into the front runners and bypassing the pressure all together.