In a thrilling matchup, the Columbus Crew will be taking on the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night in a highly anticipated clash that will determine one half of the all-MLS Leagues Cup final. The stakes are high as the winner of this game will face off against either LAFC or the Colorado Rapids in the final on August 25th. Both finalists are set to qualify for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, adding even more pressure to this crucial match.
But the drama doesn’t end there. The losers of Wednesday night’s game will have a chance at redemption in the Third Place Match on the same day, offering them another shot at securing a spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup. With so much on the line, both teams will be leaving it all on the field in their pursuit of glory.
The Columbus Crew have been on a remarkable journey in the Leagues Cup, starting with their elimination of title-holders, Inter Miami CF, in the Round of 16. They continued their impressive run by defeating New York City FC in the quarterfinals, coming from behind to secure the win. Cucho Hernández’s equalizing goal and DeJuan Jones’s winning penalty kick were pivotal in keeping the defending MLS Cup champions alive in the competition.
On the other hand, the Philadelphia Union have had their own share of challenges to overcome, particularly with Tai Baribo’s first-half red card in their last match. Despite being a man down, they managed to secure a spot in the semifinals after a hard-fought draw with Mazatlán, which was settled in a penalty shootout. Baribo, who leads in goals scored in the Leagues Cup, will be suspended for the upcoming semifinal, adding another layer of complexity for the Union.
The tension was palpable as the game unfolded, with twists and turns keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Mikael Uhre gave the Union a halftime lead, only for Mazatlán’s Alonso Escoboza to equalize. The heroics of goalkeeper Andre Blake kept Philadelphia in contention, making crucial saves in the penalty shootout before Jesús Bueno scored the winning spot-kick.
As the stage is set for the Columbus Crew to host the Philadelphia Union, soccer fans around the world are eagerly awaiting this showdown that will ultimately determine who will earn a spot in the Leagues Cup final. With so much excitement and anticipation surrounding this game, one thing is certain – it’s going to be a match to remember.
