2023 MLS Cup Preview: Columbus Crew vs. Los Angeles FC Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Dec 9)

• Columbus Crew and Los Angeles FC battle for the 2023 MLS Cup on Saturday, December 16.
• Columbus Crew won each of their last two games after extra time.
• Los Angeles FC has a 100% win record against Columbus Crew.

It’s time for the 2023 MLS Cup. The Columbus Crew vs. Los Angeles FC game on Saturday, December 9, 2023, will decide the champion. Will LAFC defend its title or will home support carry Columbus to its third MLS Cup in club history?

Judging by the Columbus vs. LAFC odds, the former is more likely to happen. To see whether we agree with oddsmakers or not, just keep on reading this prediction piece.

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How to Watch

• When: Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio
• How to Watch: FOX

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Odds

Game Result	Odds
Columbus Crew
Draw
Los Angeles FC

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Game Preview

Columbus Crew fans really should feel thankful to head coach Wilfried Nancy who turned this team into a real world-beater in under a year. In his first season as Columbus Coach, not only did he end Crew’s two-season playoff, but he led them all the way to the 2023 MLS Cup.

Truth be told, the boys from Ohio were a bit lucky to get there. The thing is that they won their previous two games after overtime.

First, they defeated 10-men Orlando in the Eastern Conference Semifinal 2-0 after 0-0 at the 90-minute mark. Then, in the conference Final last Saturday, they beat their state rival FC Cincinnati 3-2 after two hours of play.

STUNNED IN CINCINNATI! 😱

Columbus fights all the way back! Christian Ramirez has the Crew on the verge of hosting MLS Cup. 🏆

🎥: @MLS pic.twitter.com/a4Ty15mrPJ

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 3, 2023

It was Cincy that had a 2-0 lead until the 75^th minute when one of their defenders scored an own goal. This gave Columbus a massive morale boost, and their forward Diego Rossi scored the equalizer in the 86^th minute, taking the game to two extra times. It was the second of those that saw striker Christian Ramirez score the match-winner.

They can count themselves lucky twice, but will Lady Luck stay on their side in the 2023 MLS Cup Final? Even if it does, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to defeat the defending champions.

It’s just that LAFC has some amazing players on the roster, most notably, Denis Bouanga, the winner of the 2023 MLS Golden Boot.

His six-game scoring spree ended in the Western Conference Final, in which his team beat Houston Dynamo 2-0. However, the Gabonese striker would love to get back to his scoring ways and there isn’t a better occasion for that than the 2023 MLS Cup.

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Columbus vs. LAFC 2023 MLS Cup Prediction

Only three Columbus Crew vs. Los Angeles FC duels have been played so far and LAFC won each of those, keeping a clean sheet each time. Will we see the same thing happen on December 9? Our answer is no.

We don’t think it’s likely that Los Angeles FC is going to keep its net intact. However, we do think the reigning MLS champions will defend their title. It’s just that LAFC’s players are better than those playing for Columbus.

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