Pragmatism versus dogmatism, transitional play versus possession-driven assault. Hardly ever has an MLS Cup Last supplied such dramatic type 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 probably 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 dwelling devoted at Decrease.com area. It is the Crew’s third MLS Cup and second this decade.
As MLS’s unique founding workforce, Columbus despatched off the 2023 season with a transparent message: the league could also be rising, however it ought to by no means underestimate the previous guard who made that development doable.