Columbus Crew’s Concacaf Champions Cup Path Set

The 2025 season is shaping up to be another high-stakes journey for the Columbus Crew, and it all kicks off in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Tuesday evening’s draw revealed the Crew’s Round of 16 opponent will be either LAFC or the Colorado Rapids, thanks to Columbus earning a bye as 2024 Leagues Cup champions.

Let’s start with LAFC. If the fake Black and Gold make it through, it’ll reignite a matchup that Columbus dominated in 2024. First, there was the Leagues Cup final, where Wilfried Nancy’s men put on a show, dismantling LAFC 3-1 to claim the trophy. Then came the unforgettable league clash—a 5-1 demolition job at BMO Stadium, a performance that sent a clear message about who’s running things these days.

The Rapids, on the other hand, are a less frequent opponent, but the Crew still have fond memories of their last meeting. Back in May 2023, Columbus edged out a 3-2 victory, proving they could handle Colorado’s grit and unpredictability.

This isn’t the Crew’s first dance in the Champions Cup either. Just last year, they went on a thrilling run to the final, only to fall short against Pachuca. Blame it on the stomach bugs that ravaged the squad during that fateful week or Pachuca’s clinical finishing, but one thing is certain: Nancy’s men won’t dwell on excuses.

Instead, this squad has learned from that experience and is eager to take the next step. They’ve become battle-tested on the international stage, and now, with a squad that’s deeper, more cohesive, and loaded with confidence, they’ll aim to finish what they started.

Whether it’s LAFC or Colorado standing in their way, the Crew will be ready. And if 2024 taught us anything, it’s this: when Columbus hits the pitch, trophies tend to follow. Let the journey begin.