Los Angeles FC 1-5 Columbus Crew: Ramirez double downs nine-man leaders

The Columbus Crew ended Los Angeles FC’s unbeaten run at the BMO Stadium with a 5-1 victory in a game that saw three red cards in a frenetic ending to proceedings.

Sergi Palencia was the first player sent off for the hosts, with LAFC’s Jesus Murillo and the Crew’s Marino Hinestroza also given their marching orders for an altercation just before the final whistle.

Christian Ramirez opened the scoring in the first half, with Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi increasing the visitors’ advantage to three by the hour mark.

Palencia was shown his second yellow card for a pull on substitute Alexandru Matan, with Ramirez notching his second of the game from the resulting free-kick.

Nathan Ordaz clawed one back for LAFC, but Matan would round off the scoring at the BMO Stadium as he curled an effort beyond Hugo Lloris.

But following a tackle from Eddie Segura on Hinestroza, a push from Murillo on the Crew attacker resulted in a scuffle, with referee Lukasz Szpala showing two red cards.

Fulltime.#LAFCvCLB pic.twitter.com/tbQcbBzf43

— LAFC (@LAFC) July 14, 2024

“A very poor performance from us tonight, really in all categories, is the only way I would describe it,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said.

“Columbus were better in every moment of the game tonight and hats off to them, they played a fantastic game and deserved to win.

“But for us, it is obviously super disappointing for our fans and we don’t want to ever present ourselves like that again at home.”

LAFC remain top of the Western Conference despite their defeat, but will be without Palencia and Murillo for their top-of-the-table clash with Real Salt Lake next week.