Sam Mbonu
Houston, Texas - MLS cup defending champions, Columbus Crew were beaten 3-0 by Liga MX side Pachuca 3-0 to claim the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Saturday night.
The defeat means that Columbus Crew missed an opportunity to qualify for both the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Columbus struggled to contain veteran striker Salomón Rondón, who secured the competition's Golden Boot with goals in the 12th and 67th minutes. Emilio Rodríguez also scored for Pachuca in the 32nd minute, helping earn the Mexican club's sixth-ever CCC title and vanquish the 2023 MLS Cup champions.
The Crew created chances at Estadio Hidalgo, like when Jacen Russell-Rowe struck the crossbar in the 76th minute. But they rarely threatened goalkeeper Carlos Moreno, with star forwards Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernández failing to capitalize on promising looks.
Before reaching the final, Columbus beat Liga MX powerhouses Tigres UANL (quarterfinals) and CF Monterrey (semifinals). However, head coach Wilfried Nancy's team couldn't go three-for-three in Mexico with a trophy on the line.
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