Columbus Crew Thrash LAFC 5-1 at BMO Stadium

Los Angeles, CA - In a stunning display of dominance, Columbus Crew overwhelmed LAFC with a 5-1 victory at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The match saw former LAFC stars Christian Ramirez and Diego Rossi return to haunt their old club with pivotal goals.

The opener came in the 38th minute from Christian Ramirez, who rose above the LAFC defense to head the ball past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. This set the tone for what would be a difficult night for the home side.

Columbus Crew extended their lead in the second half with a goal from J. Hernandez in the 56th minute, followed closely by a composed finish from Diego Rossi at the 60th minute. Rossi, showing respect for his former club and its fans, chose not to celebrate his goal, a gesture noted and appreciated by the LAFC faithful.

Ramirez struck again in the 84th minute, slotting home his second goal of the night. The forward admitted post-match that he was torn between celebrating and showing restraint out of respect for LAFC fans. However, the presence of his family in the stands made the moment more special for him.

A. Matan sealed the emphatic win for Columbus with a goal in the 89th minute, further cementing their dominance.

LAFC managed to find a consolation goal in the 90th minute through substitute Nathan Ordaz, who had come on for Denis Bouanga, spoiling the clean sheet for Columbus Crew's goalkeeper.

The match echoed the teams' encounter in the MLS Finals last year, where Columbus also emerged victorious. However, Columbus Crew coach emphasized that this was a different game, stating, "Every game is different..."

Despite the loss, LAFC remains in first place in the Western Conference, while Columbus Crew sits in third place in the Eastern Conference. This result highlights the competitive nature of the league, with Columbus Crew showcasing their strength and former LAFC players playing crucial roles in their success.