Columbus Crew Defeats Toronto FC 2-0 with Goals from Rossi, Russell-Row

COLUMBUS– The Columbus Crew played host to Toronto FC on Saturday night, earning three points in a 2-0 win. Toronto entered the match struggling, winless since the 27th of May. They sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

First Half

The Black and Gold started off somewhat sloppy, being pinned in their defensive zone for the first eight or so minutes. Once they were able to break into the Toronto zone, Christian Ramirez missed a relatively good opportunity, followed by Cucho’s two missed golden opportunities in the 18th minute.

Diego Rossi broke the deadlock at in the 21st minute, scoring his first goal for the Crew and 49th in the MLS.

Columbus failed to capitalize on four corners, coming in at 33′, 36′, 39′, and 43′.

Second Half

The first 10 minutes of the second half were uneventful, other than a Crew corner in the 53rd minute that was unsuccessful, and a few saves from goalkeeper Patrick Schulte that kept the game at 1-0.

Yaw Yeboah had a golden opportunity to take the commanding 2-0 lead for the Crew, but ultimately came up just short. Cucho had a few opportunities in front, followed by Diego Rossi’s attempt that fell two feet outside of the right post in the 60th minute.

Jacen Russell-Rowe came off the bench and scored in the 89th minute to put the game away for Columbus. This was his second straight game with a goal.

“You never know when your opportunity is going to come.” Russell-Rowe said. “I don’t know whether I am going to get 25 minutes like today or 10 minutes like last week versus Cincy.”

Patrick Schulte assisted the goal, that mark being the first assist of the young goalkeeper’s career.

“Obviously Jacen and I have a good connection from playing together last year.” Schulte said. “Late in the game, I just put it back there and let him do the rest.”

The Crew currently sit in fifth place in the East with 42 points. Toronto is tied with Colorado for last place in the MLS.

The Black and Gold will travel to Houston to face the Dynamo next Wednesday at 8:30 P.M.

-Ian Phillips for Yamo Media