Why Cucho Hernandez could make a run at MLS MVP

Columbus Crew striker Juan 'Cucho' Hernandez played a large part in his side's Leagues Cup victory over LAFC and he could very well make a run at the MLS MVP award in the final stretch of the regular season.

Hernandez was instrumental in the Crew lifting their second piece of silverware under head coach Wilfried Nancy, bagging four goals during the competition while leading the line. The former Watford player stepped up in the final by bagging a brace to to help the Crew get over the line in front of their supporters.

While players like LAFC's Denis Bouanga, FC Cincinnati's Lucho Acosta and Chicho Arango will likely be the favorites for the MVP award, Hernandez looks set to make a run at it to further prove why his Leagues Cup run could be a platform for taking home the league's most valuable player award.

The Crew are set up to create chances for their No. 9

If Hernandez is to take home the MVP award, he's going to have to continue to bag goals as the team resumes league play this weekend.

Luckily for Hernandez, Nancy has the Crew set up perfectly to deliver plenty of chances for their talisman. With fellow attacking players like Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez and Dylan Chambost alongside full-backs DeJuan Jones, Max Arfsten and Mohamed Farsi, Hernandez can continue to expect to receive plenty of service up front and center whether it's through the middle or in the air via crosses.

Columbus face sub-par defenses in their remaining matches

If Hernandez is able to bag a brace in the final against one of the tightest defenses in LAFC, then he should have no problem adding to his goal tally as the remainder of the season unfolds against sub-par defenses.

The Crew currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference table with 49 points from 25 matches played. Nancy's side might be too far out of the picture for the Supporters' Shield, but they are still very much on for a top-four finish in the division in the final stretch.

Columbus are all set to take on Toronto FC, Orlando City, DC United and New England Revolution before their regular season concludes -- all four teams have conceded over 40 goals this term with DC leading the group of team with 54.

Hernandez has already managed 13 goals this season which is only four behind first-placed Christian Benteke and Arango. Should he go on to get on the scoresheet against the abovementioned teams to work toward the Golden Boot, it would only strengthen his case for the MVP award.

Hernandez has proven to be a big-game player

Sunday night's brace from Hernandez wasn't the first time that he put in a shift in a big match for the Crew.

Flashback to December 2023 in MLS Cup against LAFC, Hernandez opened the scoring in the first half by slotting home a penalty kick past Maxime Crepeau. When Hernandez has been on the the pitch for the Crew in a final under Nancy, they've managed to win two out of three finals played -- with Hernandez scoring in the two wins.

While MLS Cup will certainly be the goal for Hernandez and Co., they still have a handful of big matchless to come before the end of the season against New York Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami and NYCFC -- and they'll need their starting striker to be fit and firing to continue their impressive run.