PACHUCA. - Jacen Russell-Rowe has tasted success in his first three seasons with the Columbus Crew, and he’s on the search for more as the club takes part in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Final on Saturday against CF Pachuca at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico.

“To be able to represent who we are, and to show all the hard work that we've put in over the last season and a half with the staff coming in, to go and show against some of the best in the world,” Russell-Rowe told Concacaf.com about the opportunity to win the Champions Cup and advance to the FIFA Club World Cup.

“It's all we could ask for and to really put our names out there and show the world what Columbus is about.”

The 21-year-old forward has quickly risen through the ranks at the Crew. He led the second team to the MLS NEXT Pro title in 2022 as the league’s top scorer with 21 goals, to being promoted to the first team and helping the club to its third MLS Cup championship last December.

His most notable involvement came in the semifinals, with a goal in each leg. As the Crew head to a one-game final in Mexico, he is another attacking threat alongside the likes of Juan Camilo Hernandez, Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, and Marino Hinestroza.

“I would say the one at home,” he said about which goal he liked more from his semifinals double. “Maybe because the game is 1-1. It was a header. In the moment, it was kind of scary. You don't know if it's going to go in. You don't know if the keeper is going to push it wide, but it makes it there. The home crowd is with us. The energy.”

“The second one was to close out the series and to really calm our nerves at the end of the game,” he added. “Getting on the field and being able to fight and get that goal for the team was good, but, I think I liked the header more.”

The Columbus Crew now awaits its first Champions Cup Final. While it’s unchartered territory in club history, the team arrives with the same assurance that has led it to go unbeaten through the 2024 edition.

“I think from the start we were confident,” Russell-Rowe said. “It's always been our goal to come in and to win the competition.”

If victorious, Columbus would become the fourth MLS side to win the trophy. It could also be the first team to end Pachuca’s 30-match home unbeaten streak in Champions Cup play.

A win would also qualify the club for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. CF Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, and Club Leon are the other Concacaf clubs already booked for the 32-team tournament to be held in the United States next year.

“We're all about making history,” Russel-Rowe said. “To bring the Concacaf Champions Cup back to the MLS, it means something for the country.”