Pragmatism versus dogmatism, transitional play versus possession-driven assault. Not often has an MLS Cup Closing supplied such dramatic model variations than this one.
However in a record-setting season for the league, one which noticed the arrival of Apple TV manufacturing, international viewership and a sport-defining legend in Lionel Messi, the dual poles of LAFC and the Columbus Crew made for an ideal finale.
They lined your complete spectrum of MLS in 2023, from LAFC’s new-fangled glitz to Columbus’s old-school swagger, they usually delivered a spectacular finish to essentially the most spectacular season in MLS historical past.
After 90 minutes of dogged domination, the Columbus Crew held on to win the 2023 MLS Cup 2-1 in entrance of its house devoted at Decrease.com area. It is the Crew’s third MLS Cup and second this decade.
As MLS’s authentic founding crew, Columbus despatched off the 2023 season with a transparent message: the league could also be rising, nevertheless it ought to by no means underestimate the previous guard who made that development attainable.