Saturday night presented Columbus Crew SC an opportunity to go into the international break with 10 points in four matches.

The Black & Gold welcomed in Major League Soccer original FC Dallas into MAPFRE Stadium. The Hoops came into this contest winless in five matches and beginning lose traction in the Western Conference.

That did not change as Crew SC earned yet another home victory, 2-1, and set Dallas home disappointed.

The game started out like a boxing match with both teams feeling each other out, not surprising given both teams were playing the third game in eight days.

Columbus, though came out with an attacking mindset, while FCD was content to absorb pressure and hit on the home side on the counter attack.

In the 23rd minute, the crowd was treated to the first serious offensive chance of the night. Forward Ola Kamara put his header attempt just high of the Dallas goal on a Crew SC corner kick.

The Hoops hit right back on the counter with a gorgeous opportunity that saw Roland Lamah put his shot just off target from just inside the 18-yard box.

It was a hair raising moment for the Black & Gold in the 39th minute when fullback Michael Barrios was in on goal with an opportunity to shoot on an empty net after Zack Steffen drifted out of his six-yard box. Defender Jonathan Mensah recovered quickly and prevented the ball from drifting to a FCD player for an easy tap in.

The game remained scoreless as both teams retreated into the locker room.

Crew SC game out looking to make an impact and found the back of the net in the 50th minute when Kamara finished a cross from Hector Jimenez as the Black & Gold picked up a 1-0 lead.

Dallas immediately tried to answer back, pressing hard towards the Columbus net and almost tied it up two minutes later. But Steffen and the Columbus defense stood strong to keep the clean sheet in tact.

Crew SC really began dictate to the play in the 68th with a tremendous display of possession around the Hoops’ penalty area, searching for a second goal to seal the match.

Designated Player Jonathan Mensah develivered in the 71st minute when he headed home a set piece opportunity with a diving effort. The finish Ghanian scored his first MLS goal for the first-year player.

FC Dallas pulled one back in the 79th minute when Walker Zimmerman headed home a Javier Morales corner to cut the lead in half and keep up the pressure.

Columbus would weather storm and once again regain composure in order to see the match out.

Points Earned

Crew SC picked up a valuable seven points during this three-games-in-eight-days span, which could prove vital in the team’s playoff hopes going into the last phase of the 2017 season.

Columbus goes into the week break with 42 points with 28 matches played as the team is in a battle with Atlanta United and the Montreal Impact for the final spots in the Eastern Conference.

Chasing History

Ola Kamara scored his 30th goal for Crew SC on Saturday night, tying him former Black & Gold winger Ethan Finlay in the process. Next up, on Kamara’s hit list is former Columbus Designated Player Kei Kamara, who has scored 32 in his time with the club.

Not to be outdone, Federico Higuain accrued his 41st and then 42nd assists for Crew SC, passing Guillermo Barros Schelotto for fourth on the all-time team list.

What’s Next

An international break, but Columbus Crew SC return to action against the Sporting Kansas City on Saturday September 10th at MAPFRE Stadium.