On Saturday, December 9, the 2023 MLS Cup Final is slated to take place.

Columbus Crew and Los Angeles FC are set to battle it out for the coveted MLS Cup on Saturday, December 9. Both teams weren't top-ranked in their respective conferences but have managed to push through to this decisive stage. The season highlighted contrasting styles: the East focusing on attack while the West boasted stronger defenses.

Unfortunately, the Canadian teams didn't perform well enough to make a significant impact as the season drew to a close. Among them, the Vancouver Whitecaps were the most successful yet fell short against Los Angeles FC in the playoffs, with the latter defending their title by reaching the MLS Cup Final once again.

Both FC Montreal and Toronto FC endured disappointing seasons, largely due to their inability to secure any victories away. Montreal only managed to win twice on the road, while Toronto ended up winless in all 17 of their away matches. It’s been a downturn considering Toronto's previous achievements of reaching three MLS Cup finals between 2016 and 2019, including a title in 2017.

Although the night won't showcase Canadian teams, an exciting match awaits as Columbus Crew welcomes Los Angeles FC. Oddsmakers suggest a closely-fought contest is on the cards. Are they right? Let's dive into how each team stacks up and what might unfold. betting sites Columbus ended the regular season third in the Eastern Conference, posting a 16-9-9 record. Their attack was the league’s most formidable, racking up 67 goals, although they conceded 46—a bit high for contenders. Tightening up could make all the difference in this final journey.

Wilfried Nancy leads the charge for Columbus, reaching the MLS Cup Final in his debut season as their manager. Fans in Canada may recall his successful stint managing CF Montreal, setting records and securing second place in the East during his tenure.

The Crew has tasted victory in the MLS Cup twice—once in 2006 and more recently in 2020. The latter was during the pandemic, meaning only 1,500 fans could attend. As hosts this time, their supporters are keen to pack the stands in full force.

Home turf proved advantageous for the Crew all season. Of their nine defeats, just one occurred at home to Inter Miami in April, reinforcing their favorite status in the upcoming clash. A poor historical record against LA remains a minor blemish worth inspecting further.

Mirroring Columbus, Los Angeles FC also finished third in their conference with 14-10-10. Success largely stemmed from a robust defense, allowing just 39 goals over 34 games, and while their offensive tally stood at 54, it lagged behind the Eastern top teams.

Steve Cherundolo oversees LA in his sophomore coaching season, having honed his craft playing and coaching in Germany with Hannover 96. A US international with 87 caps, his vast experience includes World Cup appearances, equipping him well for pressure situations.

LA defends their championship crown, triumphing over Philadelphia Union in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw, marked by a late equalizer from Gareth Bale. This finale is an away fixture, contrasting their home-field advantages in previous encounters.

Having suffered a single defeat in their last 11 matches with five clean sheets, LA thrives when defending and countering, particularly against teams maintaining high possession, as shown by five losses in games where they controlled over 60% of the ball. With Columbus likely dictating possession, LA could capitalize on counterattacks.

Columbus faced challenging postseason clashes, requiring extra time to best the Orlando Pirates after drawing level at the end of regular time. In the next round, they edged out FC Cincinnati after an incredible comeback from being two goals down, ultimately securing victory in extra time.

Throughout LA’s postseason run, they maintained their recognizable style, narrowly defeating Seattle Sounders 1-0 and dispatching Houston Dynamo 2-0. Seattle's renowned defense couldn't stall LA's early score, and a goal per half saw off Houston’s challenge.

Cross-conference meetings between LA and Columbus are rare, with only three previous encounters. In the first, June 2018 in LA, the home team won 2-0, with early goals deciding the outcome as Columbus struggled to threaten.

Their second bout, in May 2019 in Columbus, ended in a 3-0 LA victory. The score ballooned with two late goals, concealing what was a closer battle. Columbus again found the target only once.

May 2022 marked their last meeting, again in Columbus, with LA's 2-0 win sealed by second-half strikes. A perfect record over Columbus with seven goals without reply bodes well as LA returns to Columbus over the weekend.

Crucial players power both teams' engines, regular goal-scorers eager to make a mark in the MLS Cup Final and cap off the season on a high note.

Despite his youth at 24, Cucho brings ample international experience, having played for several Spanish La Liga teams and a brief stint in England’s Premier League. Limited success there translated to five goals in listings with Mallorca and Watford, yet the move stateside has proven fruitful.

Increased playing time with the Crew resulted in nine goals last season, with an added 16 in the current campaign. His escalating form positions him as the MLS’s fourth top scorer, despite questions about his physicality.

Cucho Hernandez

A Cup win could attract national team attention again, with Cucho’s last international outing in 2018 resulting in a two-goal display. His World Cup ambitions hinge on impressing Colombian management ahead of the 2026 edition hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

The Mexican captain has netted nine goals this season but has a favorable scoring history against Columbus, finding the net in their last two meetings. His leadership saw him lift the Cup last year, motivating him further in pursuit of consecutive successes.

A stalwart since LA’s inception, Vela could be approaching his final performance with the team. Should this be his farewell, he intends to depart on a high, making the MLS Cup Final his stage for an exemplary conclusion.

Deciphering how this clash plays out is undeniably intriguing. Columbus boasts the league's premier offense, theoretically favoring them on home soil, but their scoreless record against LA previously adds suspense. It's no wonder the betting figures closely reflect this parity.

Carlos Vela

Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 9, 2023, as the MLS Cup Final is set to unfold.

The highly anticipated 2023 MLS season will culminate with the MLS Cup Final at Lower.com Field, where the Columbus Crew will face off against Los Angeles FC.

On December 2, 2023, Columbus Crew players Steven Moreira, Diego Rossi, and Rudy Camacho celebrated during the second half against FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference final, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch.

On December 9, Columbus Crew and Los Angeles FC will clash for the MLS Cup. Despite not leading their respective conferences, both teams have fought their way to this crucial showdown. This season has highlighted contrasting styles: an offensive East and a defensively strong West.

Regrettably, Canadian teams fell short in making a significant impact this season. The Vancouver Whitecaps came closest but were ultimately defeated by the reigning champions, Los Angeles FC, in the playoffs, who have secured another spot in the MLS Cup Final.

Both FC Montreal and Toronto FC had disappointing seasons owing mainly to their struggles on the road. Montreal managed just two away wins, while Toronto failed to secure any victories in their 17 away games. This is especially disheartening for Toronto, which once reached three finals in four years and clinched the title in 2017.