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Columbus Crew SC got off to a hot start in the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, Florida Friday night, thrashing FC Cincinnati 4-0 in a Hell is Real matchup that provided fans with plenty to be happy about. Despite the late kickoff — which was delayed further due to weather — Crew fans stayed up into the early hours of Sunday morning to cheer on their team.
In world in which nothing else is normal right now, at least a #Crew96 matchday still means a lightning delay.
— Steve Sirk (@stevesirk) July 12, 2020
Projector is ready for #HellIsReal. #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/KMn0umLlyC
— Darby Schnarfus (@tokenliberal) July 12, 2020
I’ll never take watching any sports game on TV for granted ever again... can’t believe how much I missed this! So excited!!! #gocrew #Crew96 https://t.co/8BvjGdHuMB
— Lindsey Ark (@lindsey_ark) July 12, 2020
I think the moral of the story is that @ColumbusCrewSC should be made to play all their games at 1 in the morning from now on. It just works for them #HellIsReal #Crew96
— Sean Kelly (@virtualstatman) July 12, 2020
It didn’t take too long for fans to receive a reward for staying up late. Creative midfielder Lucas Zelarayan scored an absolute golazo from a free kick in the 27th minute to give his team the early advantage.
Are you flipping kidding me. Sick sick sick sick. @Lucazelarayan31 #HellIsReal
— Keith Naas (@knaas) July 12, 2020
One of the all-time set piece goals in #Crew96 history.
— Nate Beckman (@BeckmanNate) July 12, 2020
WHAT. A. STRIKE. #MLSisBack | #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/ZQTUxn8SZM
— Abbi Pritchard (@abbipritchard) July 12, 2020
me after seeing Zelarayan hit the GW against NYCFC & then the sublime FK against Cinci #Crew96
— Cody McCarty (@CodyOatw) July 12, 2020
pic.twitter.com/QPE1Fyjht5
The celebrations continued as forward Gyasi Zardes added his first goal three minutes later.
What am I watching??? A perfect pass and a #crew96 player actually in the box??
— Toddrick33 (@Toddrick33) July 12, 2020
me watching the cross go dropping right to Zardes#Crew96 #mlsisback pic.twitter.com/1KZBjM7jzy
— Hacksaw Jim Thuggin (@ProjectPsion) July 12, 2020
Columbus grabbing a late night slice. #crew96 #HellisReal
— zachary king (@elnegro44107) July 12, 2020
Me watching #Crew96 right now pic.twitter.com/RQ48i7PwOh
— Gabby Hopkins (@gabby_hopkins4) July 12, 2020
And there was plenty of praise for others on the roster, notably Luis Diaz, for their contributions.
That rip from Diaz
— Astroheader (@Astroheader) July 12, 2020
Luis Diaz is the answer to every casual soccer fan's pleas for someone to "just have a go at it!" #Crew96 #MLSisBlack #CINvCLB
— ¥azan (@Yaznasty) July 12, 2020
I'm convinced that Diaz will eventually blast a hole through a keeper's torso one game. #Crew96
— Darin (@settingthetable) July 12, 2020
With victory assured and the goals piling up, the trolling of Cincinnati began (although it had really been going on all day).
It's #HellIsReal Gameday! How about a game while we wait? #GuessJaap #Crew96 #FCCincy pic.twitter.com/QQrbCLw7xK
— Lady Stank (@ladystank) July 11, 2020
2020 is still but it's reassuring to see FC Cincinnati still sucks. #hellisreal #crew96
— Wear a mask! (@ryanfromohio) July 12, 2020
BEANS OR ONIONS ON THAT FOUR WAY?#HELLISREAL #Crew96
— Hacksaw Jim Thuggin (@ProjectPsion) July 12, 2020
Live look in at #HellisReal #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/OyZjqjAuQX
— Matt Goshert (@mattgoshert) July 12, 2020
Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4-0 because all you KFC fans have already shut this off! #Crew96 #MLSisBack #HellisReal pic.twitter.com/2rEtBB6q9p
— Trevor Sabo (@sabo_trevor) July 12, 2020
Even the Crew’s club account and the City of Columbus got in on the action.
yikes https://t.co/9eFNKjmXuP
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) July 12, 2020
.@CityOfCincy#HellisReal #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/H3XAY6Nyoy
— City of Columbus (@ColumbusGov) July 12, 2020
It was a good night for Crew fans as the team returned to play and continued to assert its dominance in the Hell is Real rivalry. Fans now certainly can’t wait to see the club back in action against the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night, with a chance to take control of Group E.
And finally, a special shoutout to one of the newest Crew fans enjoying her first victory.
Ready for the first #Crew96 game of her entire life. pic.twitter.com/UAyYBjIhAt
— Morgan Hughes (@Morgan_Hughes) July 11, 2020