Columbus Crew face off against defending champions LAFC at Lower.com Field in Ohio on Saturday 9 December.
Roddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Dec 9th, 2023 15:11 EST
John David MercerUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
After nine-and-a-bit long months, the 2023 MLS season reaches its conclusion on Saturday, with Columbus Crew taking on LAFC for the MLS Cup on Saturday (9 December). The Crew will enjoy home advantage at Lower.com Field in Ohio after finishing the regular season five places and five points better off than their upcoming opponents.
Follow Columbus Crew – LAFC live online: MLS Cup Final 2023 | Score, stats and updates.
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LAFC bidding for back-to-back MLS Cups
Carlos Vela’s LAFC are, of course, the defending champions following their dramatic extra-time victory over Philadelphia Union in 2022. The Californians will be hoping to become the first team since city rivals Los Angeles Galaxy to win back-to-back MLS Cups (2011 and 2012).
For The Cup. pic.twitter.com/fvuZBjHHs2
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) December 9, 2023
Columbus Crew gunning for MLS Cup hat-trick
Columbus Crew, meanwhile, are no strangers to title success either. The MLS charter club, who are three-time Supporters’ Shield winners, have also lifted the MLS Cup on two previous occasions, most recently in 2020.
Different tiebreakers in Wild Card round and Round One
With the post-season playoffs bringing together the best teams in the country, there is always a reasonable chance of matches ending in a tie, which several already have done this year. Depending on the round, different tiebreakers are used, especially in the early part of the knockout stages.
In the one-off Wild Card matches, for instance, matches which finished level after 90 minutes skipped extra time and went straight to a penalty shootout (as happened in the Western Conference clash between Sporting Kansas City and San Jose Earthquakes).
📸 LA is Black & Gold pic.twitter.com/tS3eXwATXg
— LAFC (@LAFC) December 9, 2023
Round One was a best-of-three series, with each match in the series producing a winner. Again, games that were tied after 90 minutes had no extra time and went straight to penalties.
