Cucho Hernandez may not recall his exact thoughts when he removed his jersey and tossed it into the crowd, but it was an instinctive reaction to an unforgettable moment. This reaction followed his dramatic game-winning goal in stoppage time, leading the Columbus Crew to a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC, thereby clinching the Leagues Cup title.
As the second half drew to a close with four minutes of stoppage time, both teams were eager to break the 1-1 deadlock and avoid a penalty shootout. In a pivotal moment just over a minute later, Hernandez unleashed a shot from outside LAFC’s box, sending a beautifully arched ball that eluded goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and found the back of the net.
“I didn’t shoot the ball,” Hernandez explained. “I just tried to assist Jacen Russell-Rowe when I saw his movement. With just a couple of minutes left, I thought I had to try something. I didn’t want to go to penalties; they make me nervous. When it went in, it was unbelievable.”
Hernandez’s night was remarkable, scoring his first goal in the first half to give Columbus an early lead. He also played a significant role in the Crew’s final goal of the match. During a counterattack, as LAFC defender Aaron Long closed in on Hernandez, he selflessly passed to Jacen Russell-Rowe, who scored with less than a minute remaining.
“I was aiming for a hat trick, but when the defender approached me, I had to pass it to Jacen,” Hernandez said. “We all know he is a great striker, and we trust he’ll score.”
This victory marks the Crew’s second title under head coach Wilfried Nancy, who took over at the start of the 2023 season. Similarly to their 2023 MLS Cup win, Columbus secured the Leagues Cup trophy in front of their home fans at Lower.com Field.
“When I decided to work with this club, I believed we would achieve something,” said Nancy. “I didn’t know when, but I was confident. The club deserves this success; the journey to save it has been incredible.”
Nancy frequently described the victory as “amazing,” particularly in reference to Hernandez’s first goal. The match was physically intense, highlighted by numerous fouls and a confrontation between players. However, Hernandez capitalized on the physicality, scoring a header from a cross delivered by Mo Farsi.
“He demonstrated his capabilities,” Nancy noted. “The variety he brings to his scoring and his passion really stands out. We’re focused on helping him become more consistent because he truly wants to improve. This performance is a reward for his hard work.”
Hernandez acknowledged an increase in his scoring ability with headers recently, which has given his teammates confidence in delivering crosses into the box.
“I didn’t specifically look for Cucho,” Farsi stated. “I just aimed to put the ball in a good position, trusting one of the strikers would be there.”
In a key decision, goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen started in goal for the Crew, regardless of who they faced in the final. Before the semifinal against the Philadelphia Union, Hagen was informed of his starting role, allowing him to invite his family from Guatemala to watch him play. Coach Nancy emphasized that this tournament was Hagen’s chance, believing he deserved the opportunity after his performances.
“It’s a significant responsibility,” Hagen noted. “Wilfried does a great job of managing his players, creating a bit of healthy pressure to keep everyone engaged and ready.”
With his family in the stands visibly tense, Hagen made two crucial saves and helped limit LAFC to just one goal, contributing to the Crew’s triumph in the Leagues Cup.