Cucho Hernandez nets 50th goal for Columbus Crew

Cucho Hernandez continues to make a name for himself for the Columbus Crew, after scoring his 50th goal for the Black & Gold in their 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup semifinal. Hernandez sealed the deal for Columbus, booking their spot in the Leagues Cup Final for the first time, and putting them back into the Concacaf Champions Cup for 2025.

"“I'm so happy to get this. I think it has been good times here. I think the first 50, I want to score 100 but yes, that's my mentality. Of course, I enjoyed every game. 50 now is, I think is a lot, it's a lot of goals, but this is thanks to my teammates and to the coach, to the people, without them, I cannot get nothing. So, I'm so happy for that. I am available to score and to assist to my teammates.”"

- Cucho Hernandez, Columbus Crew forward

Ranking sixth in Club history, Cucho sits behind Stern John who has tallied 55 goals for the Black & Gold. Other names above Hernandez see Federico Higuain, Gyasi Zardes, Stern John, Jeff Cunningham and Brian McBride.

With his goal in the 52nd minute against the Union, the forward has tallied 32 goals and 44 goal contributions in his last 42 appearances across all competitions. Hernandez has also tallied two goals in Leagues Cup play.

"“First, I'm so happy to score again, to win the game. I just did it, and I saw the ball was in the middle of the goal, and I say, ‘I have to go again,’ because I knew the keeper [Andre Blake] is good. So, nothing more. I think we are so happy. We need to rest because we have another final.”"

- Cucho Hernandez, Columbus Crew forward

Since the Concaf Champions Cup final, Hernandez has recorded 11 goals and nine assists in 13 matches across all competitions, including 23 goals in his last 26 MLS regular season matches. Hernandez currently sits tied for fifth in the MLS Golden Boot race with 13 goals.

""Cucho gives them just a different level of intensity, talent, ability, whatever word you want to use. He's a killer." "

- Jim Curtin, Philadelphia Union Head Coac

Head coach Wilfried Nancy has gotten the best out of his forward since taking the reins at the beginning of the 2023 MLS season, culminating with the Club's third MLS Cup in franchise history. Scoring 16 goals and registering 11 assists during the 2023 season, Hernandez was also the key player who helped the Crew progress through the MLS Cup playoffs presented by Audi, assisting on the game-winning goal by Christian Ramirez in the Eastern Conference Final against rival FC Cincinnati.

Hernandez will look to add to his goal-scoring tally Sunday night when the Columbus Crew face LAFC in the Leagues Cup Final. Kickoff from Lower.com Field is set for 7:15 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.