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LAFC’s bid for MLS Cup history undone by disastrous stretch in loss to Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

LAFC entered Saturday’s MLS Cup final 90 minutes from history.

It finished the game looking ahead to next year.

With a chance to become the first team to win back-to-back titles in 11 years, the reigning MLS champions were undone by a four-minute span late in the first half when goals from Cucho Hernández and Yaw Yeboah gave the Columbus Crew a comfortable lead they would not relinquish en route to a 2-1 win.

LAFC got late life when Denis Bouanga banged into the rebound of his own shot in the 74th minute, a goal set up by a Columbus mistake deep in the Crew end.