Crew, LAFC surging into MLS Cup rematch

The best teams from last December are playing like it again with their 2023 MLS Cup rematch looming on Saturday.

Host Los Angeles FC (13-4-4, 43 points) have won three straight and are 9-0-1 in their past 10 matches, while the Columbus Crew (11-3-6, 39 points) are winners of four straight and eight of nine.

The Crew prevented LAFC from a second straight championship with their 2-1 victory on Dec. 9.

"I think everyone's excited. Speaking for myself, I'm really excited," Crew midfielder Max Arfsten said. "We know they're a really good team, really good players and there's going to be some tension there since it's a rematch of the MLS Cup, and I think both sides are aware of that."

Each team has been dominant of late. Los Angeles has outscored opponents 24-5 during its unbeaten run, while the Crew have a 15-1 margin over their past four matches.

"It's two teams that are in a great run of form," Crew forward Christian Ramirez said. "They've been one of the hottest, if not the hottest team, over the last eight or nine games, so they found a good rhythm, as we have. So, it's a good time for this matchup and I know it's an exciting matchup around the league."

LAFC extended their unbeaten streak to 13 in all competitions following a 3-1 win over second-tier New Mexico United in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday.

"We got out of the game with no injuries," LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. "The intensity was pretty low compared to previous weeks or the last match at the Rose Bowl (July 4 vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy) and we were able to get some guys some needed rest as well."

The match will be the final one for Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte before he joins the U.S. Olympic team for the tournament in Paris. He has seven shutouts, three coming in the past four matches.

Cherundolo and Crew coach Wilfried Nancy have been prominently mentioned as candidates to replace fired U.S. men's national team coach Gregg Berhalter.

"I'm the LAFC coach and I am very proud to be LAFC's coach, and we have something really good going here," Cherundolo said.

Nancy told The Columbus Dispatch that he is interested in becoming a national team coach "one day."

--Field Level Media