Lalas Abubabkar’s late goal that sent Columbus home with three points against New England on Saturday was the defender's second goal in his Major League Soccer career — and looked almost identical to his first, securing a 1-1 draw at Orlando City on August 19, 2017.
Back in August, Abubakar — in his customary full-head-of-steam sprint — headed a precisely placed free kick from Waylon Francis directly to the top right corner of the net to put Columbus on the board against Orlando City SC.
This time, against the Revs on Saturday, Abubakar used the same full-tilt technique to create a strikingly similar goal — off an equally well-placed corner kick from Federico Higuain. The second-year Ghana native headed in the ball form the center of the box to the top right corner of the net.
With Abubakar's pedal-to-the-metal goal-scoring swagger hasn't gone completely unnoticed, either. A certain U.S. Soccer and MLS former player and current talking head that also had a knack for wild hair, scoring as a center back and power — Fox Sports' Alexi Lalas — also took notice:
With Abubakar’s game-winning goal, Crew SC is now unbeaten in six matches with four consecutive shutouts.
Next up, the Black & Gold travel to take on Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, May 27 at 6 p.m. ET in a nationally televised match.
