LAFC suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Columbus Crew in the 2024 Leagues Cup Final. Olivier Giroud scored his first goal for LAFC, leveling the match at 1-1 early in the second half, but the Crew secured the victory with two goals in stoppage time.
Columbus took the lead just before halftime when Cucho Hernández, named the Best Player of the 2024 Leagues Cup, headed a pass from Mo Farsi past LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, giving the home team a 1-0 lead at the break.
LAFC equalized shortly after the hour mark with Giroud, making his first start for the club. After a shot from Denis Bouanga was deflected for a corner, Mateusz Bogusz delivered the corner kick that found Giroud at the far post. His header eluded Columbus goalkeeper Nicho Hagen, tying the contest at 1-1.
However, the game turned again in the second minute of stoppage time when Hernández struck for the second time, curling a cross into the six-yard box that found the net.
Just two minutes later, Hernández assisted Jacen Russell-Rowe to cap off a two-on-one break, sealing a 3-1 triumph for Columbus.
LAFC will return to the field on Wednesday, August 28, as they aim for a chance to contest another final in 2024. They will face the Seattle Sounders in the Semifinals of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The match will take place at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington, starting at 7:30 p.m. PT, and fans can watch it for free on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.