The new Sergio Aguero?! Colombus Crew forward Cucho Hernandez compared to Lionel Messi’s former teammate as LAFC's Denis Bouanga showers the praise ahead of MLS Cup

Speaking in their general media press conferences on Thursday, the duo spoke highly of each other, while mentioning their anticipation for Saturday's final. Bouanga had the highest praise of the day, though, comparing Crew's talisman to that of the legendary Argentine striker Sergio Aguero - ex-teammate of Lionel Messi!

Bouanga was the best scorer in MLS during 2023, netting 21 goals en-route to the Golden Boot. Hernandez, however, was not far behind, with 16 goals and seven assists himself. The duo are set to clash Saturday afternoon in the 2023 MLS Cup as LAFC look to win back-to-back championships for the first time in club history. The Crew, meanwhile, are looking to obtain the trophy they last hoisted in 2020.

“A very good player. He reminds me a lot of [Sergio] Kun Aguero,” Bouanga said in French of Cucho in Thursday’s press conferences. “He's a player with a lot of range and a lot of energy and he really, really wants to score and be out there on the field.”

“It took me by surprise that a player of such quality, one of the best players in the league, thinks that of me,” said the Colombian international. “But we know that on Saturday we'll be opponents and we'll give our all to bring glory to our respective clubs.”

It's 2023 MLS Cup, and the end of the campaign. It's an all-or-nothing contest where each side will give everything they have left in the gas tanks. The match will go to extra-time if they end regulation in a draw, and penalty kicks are alive as well if the extra period of allocated time ends in a draw as well. LAFC's 2022 title came via penalty kicks, while the Crew's 2020 title came via a 3-0 regulation victory.