Los Angeles FC – Columbus Crew 05-03-2025

The North American Champions League is about to get underway. For many Norwegian football fans, European club football is the alpha and omega, but on the other side of the Atlantic they have their own version of the Champions League. The CONCACAF Champions Cup is the tournament where the best teams from MLS (USA), Liga MX (Mexico) and other leagues in North and Central America compete to be crowned the continent's best club.

The winner of the tournament not only gets a title, but also a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they can compete against the best from Europe and South America and could have the chance to be crushed by Real Madrid. For both Los Angeles FC and Columbus Crew, two of the strongest teams in MLS, this is a chance to show that American soccer can compete at the highest level

Los Angeles FC: The stars shine in Hollywood

LAFC has been one of the leading clubs in MLS in recent years, and they haven't been shy about bringing in big names. They gained the most attention when they signed French World Cup winner Olivier Giroud, a striker known for his physicality and ability to score important goals.

In addition, they have retained one of last year's best players in MLS, Denis Bouanga, who with his speed and technique is a constant threat. At the back, they have brought in another French veteran, Hugo Lloris, who gives the team solidity between the posts.

LAFC have started the season strongly, but it has been a defensively confident, rather than an explosive, opening. They have won their first two games this season without conceding a goal, but they have not created a sea of ​​chances either.

Form and latest results:

1-0 win against Colorado Rapids in the first round of the Champions Cup

1-0 win against Minnesota United in MLS opener

Kept a clean sheet in both matches

Although they have been solid, they have not been really tested offensively yet. That could quickly change in this match.

Columbus Crew: Reigning champions with ambitions

The Columbus Crew won the MLS in 2023 and thus have a status to defend. They have built a team that balances experience with youth, and they are known for being tactically disciplined.

Their attack is led by Jacen Russel-Rowe, a forward who has proven to be one of the most effective goal scorers in MLS. Behind him is former LAFC player Diego Rossi, a player with experience in European football. The midfield is led by veteran Darlington Nagbe, one of the most reliable passers in the league.

Columbus has opened the season well, but it has been a more controlled entrance than the offensive football they showed last season.

Form and latest results:

1-0 win against New England Revolution in MLS opener

Scored in 9 of his last 10 MLS games

Defensively solid, but have created fewer chances than usual

They have shown that they can be difficult to break down, but the question is whether they have enough offensive power to challenge an LAFC team that has been rock solid at the back so far this season.

Expected match picture

This matchup could go a number of ways. LAFC has proven solid defensively so far this year, but Columbus has the offensive weapons to punish any team.

Either we see LAFC control the game early, as they have in their first few games, or we get a Columbus team that challenges them higher up the field and creates a more open game.

The statistics show that both teams have been relatively cautious at the start of the season, but at the same time, Columbus Crew have scored in nine of their last ten games. It is difficult to imagine them not finding the back of the net again.

Key statistics:

LAFC has kept a clean sheet in both of its first two games this season

Columbus Crew have scored in nine of their last ten matches

Both teams have solid offensive profiles

Bet suggestions

These are two teams with high-quality offensive players, and in a game where the stakes are high, we don't expect a purely defensive game. Columbus has a tendency to find its way to the goal regardless of the opponent, and LAFC at home will always be a threat.

We therefore end up with the following games:

CONCACAF Champions Cup at 04:30:  Los Angeles FC – Columbus Crew: Both teams to score (1.72)