:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67073670/1256604430.jpg.0.jpg)
Columbus Crew SC qualified for the knockout stages of the MLS is Back Tournament with a solid 2-0 win against the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night. While it got a little hairy towards the end, there was plenty for Black & Gold supporters to celebrate as the Crew continued to fire on all cylinders.
Once again, Columbus featured in the nightcap match, but fans seemed slightly more awake for this one. They were pumped up and ready to watch their team.
— The Nordecke (@Nordecke) July 16, 2020
Today’s To Do List:
— DrPeteEdwards (@DrPeteEdwards1) July 16, 2020
Go @ColumbusCrewSC! #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/kFKpQnVhcI
Ready for tonight’s match! #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/HSrDypKyMG
— Ciera Gooden (@CieraGooden) July 17, 2020
Wearing the @chrissycadds shirt tonight for his full debut #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/YM8w28PgyN
— Cameron (@CAMcKay97) July 17, 2020
Love seeing the #BlackLivesMatter shirt from @SupporterSupply on national TV yet again.
— Keith Naas (@knaas) July 17, 2020
Soccer is fun, but there are much more important things.#Crew96 #MlSIsBack pic.twitter.com/z8oTfDWLxc
Forward Gyasi Zardes opened the scoring in the 20th minute thanks to a perfect pass from winger Pedro Santos, who returned after not being in the squad in the last match. This was Zardes’ third goal of the tournament and fans were excited by both the goal and the partnership between Zardes and Santos.
Put your sweatbands on and lace up dem boots! Buffet is open, time to let Zardes eat!! #DSSL #Crew96 #MLSisBack
— Did Someone Say Sports? (@SportsDid) July 17, 2020
@gyasinho scores again . . . #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/P8SLg2yKRk
— Chris Heading (@ChrisAHeading) July 17, 2020
Zardes goes all the way back on defense, then zooms up the center of the pitch on the break.
— Keith Naas (@knaas) July 17, 2020
What a player. #Crew96.
Pedro Santos: doing just thing #Crew96
— Ty Phillips (@chaiteaaddict) July 17, 2020
Pedro Pedro nice work dude keep it up. Muito boa #Crew96
— Gringa con Gatos y Máscaras y #BLM (@gringacongatos) July 17, 2020
In what many saw as a surprise, Homegrown midfielder Sebastian Berhalter was given his first start for the club. He performed admirably and recorded the most touches out of any player on the field in the first half. This was made even more special as Sebastian’s father, former Crew head coach and United State Men’s National Team manager Gregg Berhalter, was there to watch the game.
Seb had himself a fine night in his first start, can't wait to see more #Crew96 #CLBvRBNY
— Tayler Neargarder (@tjneargarder) July 17, 2020
Sebastian really surprised me tonight. (Er, last night, I guess.) I was impressed. #crew96
— Toddrick33 (@Toddrick33) July 17, 2020
Gregggg Berhalter watching the game alone in a folder chair is a mood
— GCGBAG (@gcgbag96) July 17, 2020
Triple G with the judgemental dad vibes #MLSisBack #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/hxO5mHPUVG
— Dehne (Prosecute 4) (@seizeTheDehne) July 17, 2020
The real key to breaking down New York’s trademark press in this game was one Darlington Nagbe. Fans were quick to heap praise on the midfielder for his outstanding performance.
Lucas Zelarayan is the most talented/highest level player whatever you want to call it that we’ve ever had. Because they happened in the same offseason it kinda goes un talked about how Nagbe is probably 2nd on that same list. Absolutely monumental signing #Crew96
— Cameron (@CAMcKay97) July 17, 2020
Nagbe is a beast in the midfield. Such a great move this offseason to bring him in. So good on the ball and strong defender. #Crew96
— Jordyn Lewis (@jordynlewis11) July 17, 2020
Darlington Nagbe is a high press cheat code and is exactly the reason #Crew96 are at the top of the table and @ATLUTD is at the bottom.
— Terry Barber Jr. (@Terry_BarberJr) July 17, 2020
Darlington welcomes your press. He feeds off of it. #MLSisBack #Crew96 https://t.co/vzUyGuQNZN
— Ben Wright (@benwright) July 17, 2020
A few minutes into the second half, playmaker Lucas Zelarayan scored from outside the penalty box off of a pass from Derrick Etienne. Fans are confident that Zelarayan is proving himself to be the real deal.
THE LADS ARE ON @ColumbusCrewSC #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/PJ8gV8nTfq
— Gerard Basalla (@GerardBasalla) July 17, 2020
Bangers only @Lucazelarayan31 #Crew96
— Mile High Massive (@MileHighMassive) July 17, 2020
Feed him all the distance shots! #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/m1cFtWCSq9
— Joey Exotic (@buckeyedinapoli) July 17, 2020
Have you seen this Lucas Zelarayan guy? #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/zelHbkNyui
— Michael Morrison (@TheProdigalTwit) July 17, 2020
Zelarayan could be a league MVP. This dude is that good. #Crew96 #MLSisBack
— Scott Helton (@Scott__Helton) July 17, 2020
The end of the game almost got out of hand as the Crew ran out of substitutes and players started going down, most notably goalkeeper Eloy Room. While he ultimately toughed out the nine-plus minutes of added time, fans started speculating who might have to become the emergency keeper.
Don't come at Josh Williams unless you want the thunder pic.twitter.com/4DVygIXVL4
— The StaltDawg (@Stalter24) July 17, 2020
Mensah in goal! #crew96
— Wear a mask! (@ryanfromohio) July 17, 2020
Someone call up Eddie Gaven #Crew96
— Brett (@brettbaker21) July 17, 2020
As the game drew to a close, fans also made sure to praise club captain Jonathan Mensah for his stellar performance in defense.
Jonathan Mensah is the best defender in MLS. #Crew96
— Christian Pereira (@CrewSoccer96) July 17, 2020
@Jomens25 been an absolute tank on the back line tonight! #Crew96
— Nick (@TooTall937) July 17, 2020
What a picture of @Jomens25 from tonight #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/Rh1O5M1tKY
— Mile High Massive (@MileHighMassive) July 17, 2020
With this win, Columbus is the third team to reach the knockout stages of the tournament, with a game to spare. And so, the Crew hype train continues on.
The best way to start a Friday. #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/OE8uzipQQI
— Matt Fisher (@Fish_outofH2O) July 17, 2020
I'm enjoying this thing where #Crew96 are fun to watch & really good. Great game from the whole team.
— Massive317 (@Massive317) July 17, 2020
Going to sleep well after that one! #Crew96 #MLSisBack pic.twitter.com/S71L2kPIj0
— Gem City Massive (@GemCityMassive) July 17, 2020
Are @ColumbusCrewSC the best team in MLS? Many people are saying they might be, and I'm in no position to argue. #Crew96
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) July 17, 2020
WEAR YOUR MASKS, I WANT TO DO THIS AFTER THIS TEAM WIN THE CUP #Crew96 https://t.co/1CNQeWJI4x
— Tayler Neargarder (@tjneargarder) July 17, 2020
On that note, I leave you with two gifts. First, this most cursed of images.
#Crew96 fans, I present to you: Li’l Sebastian. pic.twitter.com/nAfmowMLJ9
— Adam Whittaker Snavely (@Snaves) July 17, 2020
And finally, as you celebrate the Crew’s victory, consider celebrating one of the club’s greatest supporters on his 100th birthday. Stay Massive.
Henri Crognale is the greatest supporter the world has ever seen. We're all just playing for second place. If you can, join in the celebration of his 100th birthday on July 18. #Crew96 @kcrognale https://t.co/yQ2hVUj5T9
— CrewSupportersUnion (@CrewUnion) July 17, 2020