On a chilly day in the heart of Downtown Columbus, Ohio, the Columbus Crew welcomed an old rival in Toronto FC into town for another edition of the Trillium Cup. With both clubs looking to improve from their previous results last week, it was apparent both sides were in need of a win.
Toronto grabs first half lead
Toronto started out on the front foot, earning four corners within the opening half-hour of the match. Jesus Jimenez capitalized on a recycled ball off of just one of those aforementioned corners, being able to head home the ball in the center of the penalty area past Crew keeper Eloy Room in the 14th minute.
Columbus victimized on another set-piece like goal is their third in two games.
“Set pieces. We give away a weird corner because we don’t clear our lines and then we don’t man mark on the set piece,” said Head Coach Caleb Porter.
That’s ✌️ in ✌️@J10Jimenez | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/RPPyamUnq5
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) March 12, 2022
Columbus picked up the pace as the first half went on, being able to possess and create chances. Two of their best chances came at the middle and end of the half, both involving winger Derrick Etienne Jr.
In the 31st minute, Etienne was able to slot home the ball past Toronto netminder Alex Bono, but was whistled offside. Just minutes later, midfielder Lucas Zelarayan found Etienne charging towards the back post with a rising header, but couldn’t get it past Bono.
The Crew were able to escape the first half unscathed even moreso than before.
In good Columbus Crew fashion, it didn’t take long in the second half for the Black & Gold to make an impact.
Lucas Zelarayan found space in front of him outside of the box and hit a low drive shot past Bono to equalize. With that goal, Zelarayan now has 14 goals outside of the box, which is the most by any player since joining the league in 2020.
He is UNSTOPPABLE. #Crew96 | @Lucazelarayan31 pic.twitter.com/GJsAn7VqDm
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 12, 2022
Derrick Etienne Jr
The Crew didn’t stop there. With possession and chances now being created in faovr of the home side, the Black & Gold found the go-ahead goal through another shining star on the squad, Derrick Etienne Jr.
A free kick saw Zelarayan float the ball into the box and find the head of Jonathan Mensah who was able to head it down to Etienne for the strike into the back of the net.
CLICK THOSE HEELS, @detienne_10. #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/698wSMEcUp
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 12, 2022
Columbus found the winning formula to hold on to the lead, defeating Toronto 2-1 to remain unbeaten. The Crew travel to Harrison, New Jersey to take on the New York Red Bulls for their second road match of the year.
