LAFC reaches second straight MLS Cup Final with 2-0 win over Houston Dynamo with defending champions set to face Columbus after The Crew’s dramatic 3-2 win over FC Cincinnati

Ryan Hollingshead scored as defending champion Los Angeles FC reached a second straight MLS Cup Final courtesy of a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night.

Houston’s Franco Escobar scored an own goal 10 minutes from time to secure the Western Conference Final for Los Angeles. 

Steve Cherundolo’s side will travel to Columbus next weekend to face The Crew, who beat FC Cincinnati 3-2 in a thriller earlier on Saturday.

LAFC is now one game away from becoming MLS’ first back-to-back champions since city rivals LA Galaxy achieved the feat in 2011 and 2012.

Maxime Crepeau made five saves to earn a third consecutive clean sheet for Los Angeles. It means Cherundolo’s side hasn’t conceded a goal since October, with Giorgio Chiellini and Diego Palacios leading a defense that frustrated the Dynamo. 

Ryan Hollingshead scored late in the first half to give Los Angeles the lead on Saturday night 

Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (R) made five saves in his third consecutive clean sheet for LAFC 

Houston’s nine-game winning streak ended as the franchise fell agonzingly short of a first MLS Cup Final since 2012.

LAFC stood strong in its 52nd match of 2023 – an MLS record for games played in a calendar year, thanks to the club’s competition in several non-league tournaments.

The Black and Gold still reached the brink of a second straight title despite the heavy workload and despite losing several key players from last season’s championship team, including high-scoring Chicho Arango and the retired Gareth Bale.

The Los Angeles crowd gave a standing ovation to Carlo Vela when he came off in the second half of what might be his final match at BMO Stadium. The club’s first player is out of contract this winter and isn´t sure whether he will return.

Columbus Crew battled back to beat FC Cincinnati and win the MLS Eastern Conference title

Christian Ramirez scored a 115th-minute winner as the Crew came back from two goals down

The match also could have been the last at home for Chiellini. The Italian great who joined LAFC from Juventus 18 months ago is thought to be considering retirement at 39.

Earlier, Christian Ramirez scored a 115th-minute winner as the Columbus Crew battled back from two goals down to beat favorites FC Cincinnati 3-2.

Columbus, who have won two titles in three previous trips to the final, will host next Saturday’s final. 

This was The Crew’s ninth conference final – only LA Galaxy (13) have reached more – and the first time in MLS history that state rivals have faced off for a title. 

The Crew’s overtime win sparked wild celebrations among the visiting players and fans in Cincinnati, with midfielder Darlington Nagbe left in tears on the field.

Columbus midfielder Darlington Nagbe (right) was left in tears following the victory