Trailing 2-0, the Columbus Crew rallied to score three goals unanswered to advance in a knockout tournament. Where have we seen that before? :)
Wednesday night was a reminder of just how good this Black & Gold side is, as Columbus beat Inter Miami CF, 3-2, at Lower.com Field to advance into the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. Tickets are available to see the Crew host New York City FC on Saturday at Lower.com Field.
“It was a good exercise because it's been a long moment that we haven't had a kind of situation like this,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said after the exhilarating win. “This is a good reminder that we don't quit. After that, if the team is better than us or they score more goals, no problem; but the spirit, we don't quit.
“I'm happy that we did it. For sure, I'm going to stay with that because I am a positive person, but I'm going to use certain things during the game that we need to improve and to discuss with my players.”
The Crew found themselves trailing after 10 minutes. In the 62nd minute, it was 2-0.
And then the comeback began.
At halftime, Nancy deployed a more attacking lineup with the introduction of Mohamed Farsi, Christian Ramirez and Alex Matan. Miami, who tends to leave the locker room late, missed the changes and then spent the next 45 minutes playing catch-up.
In the 67th minute, Ramirez became a super sub when he nodded home a cross from Max Arfsten.
Two minutes later, Diego Rossi leveled the match with his first of two goals, as the Crew had a trademark counterattack. Farsi dribbled down the right flank and laid it off to Cucho Hernadez, whose back-post cross was perfect for Rossi to one time.
The final goal arrived in the 80th minute. When Farsi played a ball in for Rossi to produce a perfectly hit back-post shot, sending Lower.com Field into a frenzy.
From there, the final moments were about preserving the lead. There was a late scare, including a last-minute scrum in front of The Nordecke, but the Black & Gold remained resilient and toppled the defending Leagues Cup champions.
“I'm really happy to have a game like this because we suffered, and it was good to have a better competitive spirit and to be front foot to win the game,” Nancy said. “Well done for the players.”
With the win, the Crew will host NYCFC in the quarterfinals on Saturday night at Lower.com Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Leagues Cup | Final
On Sunday, August 25 at 7:15 p.m., Columbus Crew will host the Leagues Cup Final at Lower.com Field. Tickets are on sale NOW!
