In a thrilling matchup set for Friday evening, the defending MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew, are poised to take on Sporting Kansas City in the Round of 32 of the Leagues Cup knockout round. The winner of this exciting clash will move on to face either Inter Miami CF or Toronto FC in the Round of 16, with the host being decided based on Leagues Cup ranking.
This prestigious World Cup-style tournament brings together a total of 47 clubs, with 18 hailing from LIGA MX and 29 representing MLS. Teams participating in the Leagues Cup will be taking a break from their domestic season for a month-long battle for the championship title, with the top three finishers securing a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Having earned a bye to the knockout stage, Columbus is eagerly returning to competitive action after a break since July 20, feeling well-rested and motivated for another shot at glory. Wilfried Nancy’s squad even sharpened their skills with a friendly match against Aston Villa during the Leagues Cup group stage, setting them up as the favorites for the Round-of-32 showdown.
Leading the charge for the Crew is superstar forward Cucho Hernández, who boasts an impressive record of 13 goals and 8 assists. Joining him in the attacking lineup are Diego Rossi with 9 goals and 10 assists, and Christian Ramirez with 7 goals and 4 assists, forming a formidable trio that has the potential to dominate their opponents.
On the other hand, Sporting Kansas City had a rollercoaster journey in the group stage, narrowly securing their spot in the knockout round after a nail-biting victory over Chicago Fire FC. Despite a recent struggle in MLS, where they currently sit 12th in the Western Conference with 24 points, SKC has shown determination and skill in the Leagues Cup, keeping their dream alive for a successful run in the tournament.
One player who has been a standout performer for Kansas City is Stephen Arfifa, who made waves with a stunning goal against Toluca and an assist in the match against Fire. His electrifying performances have been crucial in SKC’s journey so far, adding excitement and flair to their gameplay as they gear up to face the formidable Columbus Crew in the Round of 32.
