Never count out Columbus.

Congratulations to the Columbus Crew on a thrilling win Saturday night. Columbus will face LAFC in the MLS Cup at Lower.com Field on Saturday, December 9 at 4 p.m. ET. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, December 6 at ColumbusCrew.com.

Down 2-0 at the half, Columbus needed a big rally to get back in the Eastern Conference Final vs. their chief rivals FC Cincinnati. And rally they did. The Black & Gold got on the scoresheet in the 75th minute through an own goal. They kept the pressure up and Diego Rossi found the equalizer in the 86th.

Things were all square at full time so the game headed to extra time. The first period went scoreless and the Ohio teams were just 15 minutes from going to penalties. But Super Sub Christian Ramirez had other ideas. He was involved in the first goal, forcing an FCC defender into a tough position leading to an own goal. This time he put it in the back of the net himself. Kevin Molino put a ball to the far post where Cucho headed it square for Ramirez to bang it home. The biggest Hell is Real Derby yet lived up to the billing.

Economic Impact

The MLS Cup is a win for Columbus' economy as well late in the year. The Greater Columbus Sports Commission estimates hosting the Cup will lead to $8 million in direct visitor spending. Those dollars stay in Columbus and the community. Sports Commission President and CEO Linda Logan notes the timing is key as well, "December is a slower time of year when it comes to our hotel occupancy. So any time you’re going to have any major event in December, it’s prized by our residents and by our community.” Read more from her interview with NBC4. 

"Columbus! Get me Two"

Two has been a special number on this run to the Cup:

• The Crew won their first round series 2-1
• They won the conference semi-finals over Orlando 2-0
• The Crew overcame a two-goal deficit in the conference final on December 2.
• They've lifted the Cup two times previously - in 2008 and 2020
• This is the first of two times Columbus will be the center of the MLS world, with the All-Star Game on tap for next summer

Head to the team's website for the Match Guide with everything you need to know. This will be the fourth time Columbus has hosted the MLS Cup. Once when it was a neutral site match and three times with the Crew as home team.

• 2001 San Jose vs. LA Galaxy
• 2015 Columbus vs. Portland
• 2020 Columbus vs. Seattle
• 2023 Columbus vs. LAFC

Crew Plates

Did you know you can rep the Crew on your license plate and help our mission to bring more sports events to Columbus? Learn more about the specialty license program here. Learn more about soccer in Columbus or find some things to do if you visit for the MLS Cup.