MLS Cup Semifinals: Crew Go Through

12/04/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Christian Ramirez’s Extra-Time Goal Sends Columbus Crew Past FC Cincinnati (3-2) & Into Cup Final Against LAFC

The MLS Cup final is set! And it won’t be featuring the Supporters’ Shield winners. The Columbus Crew shocked the 1-seed FC Cincinnati on Saturday in the Eastern Conference Finals of the MLS Cup Playoffs (3-2) thanks to Christian Ramirez’s put-back winner. Just 110 miles separated the two clubs in the Ohio derby. Cincy took a 2-0 lead into halftime, but the visitors from Columbus had a miracle second half. Ramirez and Diego Rossi leveled the score in the final 20 minutes to force extra-time before Ramirez’s moment of magic. The Eastern Conference final was the best MLS game I’ve seen all season.

On the west coast, the dominating form of LAFC continued unfazed as they peppered Houston all night long in a rainy L.A. semifinal. Ryan Hollingshead smashed a loose ball in just before halftime, and L.A. added a late insurance goal to earn their second straight trip to the MLS Cup Final. The defending champs should be the favorites heading into their match with Columbus this weekend. One more!

MLS Cup Conference Finals

Columbus Crew def. FC Cincinnati (3-2)

LAFC def. Houston Dynamo (2-0)

MLS Cup Final (Saturday)

LAFC vs. Columbus Crew (Sat. 4:00 pm ET)

Yahoo! Sports: Columbus Crew Stun Cincinnati With Wild Comeback in Eastern Conference Final

Photo: Jeff Dean / Getty Images