In a heart-stopping finale to the Campeones Cup, the columbus crew – américa, only to fall short after a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout that extended over seven rounds. The match, held at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving the Crew without another coveted title.
Wilfried Nancy, the Crew’s head coach and reigning MLS Cup champion, expressed disbelief at a controversial no-call during the match that ultimately contributed to their loss. The Crew had equalized in the 77th minute with a goal from Malte Amundsen, but his subsequent penalty shot in the sixth round hit the crossbar. Controversially, it appeared that Club América goalkeeper Luis Malagón had left his line before the shot was taken.
Nancy initially commended the referees for their guidance during the penalty round, but his frustration surfaced when discussing the critical moment that cost the Crew their third championship in a year. “The goalkeeper was not on his line. The referee said it didn’t affect the shot,” he remarked, adding with a hint of irony, “So, I don’t know, the rules are rules.”
The decisive penalty was scored by Club América’s Néstor Araujo, who found the back of the net past Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, sealing the victory for the Mexican powerhouse. Columbus now has a mixed record in championship matches over the past year, having won the MLS Cup against LAFC and the Leagues Cup, but also suffering a loss to Pachuca in the Concacaf Champions Cup final earlier this year.
The Crew was poised to become the first team to win multiple Campeones Cup titles, having previously triumphed in 2021 after their MLS Cup victory. In its six-year history, only Atlanta United (2019) and New York City FC (2022) have also captured the Campeones Cup.
For Club América, this victory adds to their illustrious legacy, marking their 15th league title—more than any other franchise. During the penalty shootout, Diego Valdés, Rodrigo Aguirre, Álvaro Fidalgo, and Dávila scored for América against Schulte, who is set to represent the U.S. men’s soccer team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Columbus saw Rudy Camacho, Jacen Russell-Rowe, Cucho Hernández, and DeJuan Jones score their penalties, but misses from Aziel Jackson and Alexandru Matan proved costly.
The Crew’s efforts were further hampered by the absence of key players, including Diego Rossi, who left the match four minutes before regulation ended, and Christian Ramirez, substituted out in the second half. “He was tired. Simple as that,” Nancy stated about Rossi’s exit.
Despite the setback, Columbus Crew remains a formidable force in Major League Soccer, boasting a strong chance of clinching another MLS Cup and potentially contending for the Supporters’ Shield in the final weeks of the season. They will visit the White House on Friday to celebrate their 2023 MLS Cup title before taking on D.C. United at Audi Field on Saturday. Additionally, they are set to host Lionel Messi and MLS-leading Inter Miami next Wednesday in a crucial match that could determine the Supporters’ Shield winner.
“I’m sad for the players because they deserved better, but I’m really proud of what they did,” Nancy reflected after the match. “We got close to winning this game, but we didn’t. We have to digest this and move forward.”
With the thrilling match now concluded, all eyes will be on how the Crew responds as they prepare for the challenges ahead.