Crew Coverage pres. by Medical Mutual | Nancy: ‘A good win’ in emotional match, Cucho hat trick 

The reigning league champions are back home – literally and metaphorically.

Saturday night was a textbook example of the Columbus Crew dominating its opponent in a difficult environment. Playing at Lower.com Field for the first time in a month, the Black & Gold battered Sporting Kansas City, 4-0, in a match that offered the full spectrum of emotions.

Cucho Hernández had his first hat trick in 2024 and defensively, the Crew didn’t concede a shot on target. But the overarching theme was celebrating Aidan Morris, who was treated to a roaring cheer and a standing ovation before the midfielder completed all 89 of his passes and helped his teammate pummel SKC.

Cucho scored his first after 32 minutes through a delightful sequence that saw him make a cut in the box and free himself up to punish the visitors in front of The Nordecke.

His second arrived two minutes into first-half stoppage time as his attempt at goal pinballed off defenders and kept John Pulskamp planted on his line.

But the match’s best moment arrived at the hour mark when Morris was substituted and departed the pitch. As he walked off, the stands erupted in chants of his name as he hugged his teammates, kissed the crest and then took a set at in the dugout.

“He wanted to finish well in front of the crowd and in front of the fans because it means a lot for him,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said of Morris. “He's strong mentally because he did a good game, and obviously, we had a good win. I'm not surprised because he likes to use tools to help him to get better. Today was a good exercise for him because he had a lot of pressure and he was able to do a good game. Good for him.”

While it was certainly an emotional moment, the Crew did well to play through the circumstances.

In the same way the players played through the season opener after the MLS Cup ring ceremony, Nancy was pleased that every was switched on and kept pushing for goals and a clean sheet.

Christian Ramirez added the fourth in the 66th minute when he capped off a vicious counter that sliced through the opposition. Sean Zawadzki found Steven Moreira, who then played Ramirez in 30 yards from goal. The forward’s first shot was stopped, but he followed his rebound to score a third goal of the season – and second in three games.

In the 71st minute, Cucho sealed his hat trick with a lovely free kick effort that was lashed toward the bottom right corner, sending the ball spinning around the net.

“It was really important also when I made all the changes that we stay focused on the task,” Nancy said. “With all the celebration also was not easy because we can switch really quickly. I really wanted to help my team to have a clean sheet if possible and to score more goals because this is the level that we want to have. I don't like when we take everything for granted.”

In essence, on a night that meant a lot for everyone inside Lower.com Field, the Crew had a wonderful celebration for Morris, bullied the opponent and reiterated the Club’s quality as it hits the halfway point in the 2024 MLS regular season.