In a thrilling encounter on Saturday, Columbus Crew emerged victorious with a 2-1 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, marking a significant moment in Week 17 of the MLS season. Columbus struck first early in the match, with Darlington Nagbe finding the back of the net just one minute into the game, showcasing their attacking prowess.
However, the Whitecaps quickly responded, leveling the score at 1-1 in the fifth minute. Diego Rossi displayed remarkable skill and composure to finish a well-crafted play, momentarily bringing hope to the Vancouver fans.
Yet, it was Columbus Crew’s day, as they regained the lead in the 23rd minute, thanks to another brilliant goal from Rossi, who played a pivotal role in securing the victory for his side.
Rossi’s performance made him the standout player of the match, contributing significantly with a crucial goal. Nagbe also had an impressive outing, netting the opening goal for Columbus Crew.
Columbus Coach Wilfried Nancy employed a 4-3-3 formation for this match, placing Evan Bush in goal, while the defensive line consisted of Andrés Herrera, Yevhen Cheberko, Sean Zawadzki, and Lassi Lappalainen. The midfield featured Darlington Nagbe, Aziel Jackson, and Amar Sejdic, and in attack, they had Daniel Gazdag, Diego Rossi, and Aliyu Ibrahim.
On the other side, Jesper Sorensen’s Vancouver Whitecaps utilized a 5-4-1 formation, with Yohei Takaoka guarding the net. The defensive unit comprised Mathías Laborda, Ranko Veselinovic, Tristan Blackmon, Bjorn Utvik, and Édier Ocampo, while their midfield included Ralph Priso, Pedro Vite, Andrés Cubas, and Jean-Claude Ngando, with Daniel Rios leading the line in front.
Looking ahead, Columbus Crew will host Atlanta United in their next match, while Vancouver Whitecaps FC will face San Diego FC at home.
Substitutions for Columbus Crew
45’ 2H – Lassi Lappalainen was replaced by Mohamed Farsi
84’ 2H – Aziel Jackson was substituted for Taha Habroune
85’ 2H – Amar Sejdic was taken off for Jacen Russell Rowe and Daniel Gazdag was replaced by Dylan Chambost
89’ 2H – Aliyu Ibrahim exited for Tristan Brown
Substitutions for Vancouver Whitecaps FC
63’ 2H – Mathías Laborda was replaced by Tate Johnson
64’ 2H – Jean-Claude Ngando came off for John Selemani
70’ 2H – Ralph Priso was substituted for Jeevan Badwal
81’ 2H – Bjorn Utvik left the pitch for Rayan Elloumi
Yellow Card for Vancouver Whitecaps FC:
31’ 1H – Tristan Blackmon (Unsporting behavior)