Sunday night featured several firsts for the Columbus Crew. The first appearances of two players, including new Designated Player Dániel Gazdag. The first time since 2010 the Club is unbeaten in its opening eight matches of season.
And, perhaps most notably, the Black & Gold are first in the Eastern Conference.
Despite conceding an early goal, Columbus persevered and beat St. Louis CITY SC, 2-1, on Sunday night at Energizer Park. With the win, the Crew remain unbeaten through the first eight matches of the season, which ties the club record set in 2010.
“I like when this is something factual,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said about the record start. “I’m proud of that because, again, there is a lot of work ethic behind it. We are not looking for these kinds of things. These kinds of things happen naturally if we do good stuff.
“The performance we’ve had since the beginning [of the season] is really good. That’s why now we can do this kind of record. I’m happy. Also, this is a consequence of this competition mindset and this joy also to play together.”
The mindset was on display early.
The Crew trailed seven minutes into the match when João Klauss scored his first St. Louis goal since last May. But the visitors looked unnerved, and spent the remainder of the first half – and most of the game – dictating play.
The Black & Gold were rewarded in first-half stoppage time when reigning MLS Defender of the Year Steven Moreira lashed a wonderful first-time strike to the back post via a Max Arfsten cross.
Yes, that’s right. A center back made a scorching run into the box and produced a top-class finish.
“If the game is to have a center back moving up because this is the closest guy or he can make a late run, let’s do it,” Nancy said. “After that, we have to have balance. This is not about the position; this is about a common-sense play. This is the way we want to play.”
Columbus took the lead in the 55th minute when Diego Rossi scored his team-leading fifth goal of the campaign. The sequence started with St. Louis-native Patrick Schulte, who found Dylan Chambost on the left flank. From there, a quick one-two and a 40-yard run from the Frenchman unlocked the home side’s midfield, leaving Rossi with acreage to tee up a back-post shot.
From there, the Crew continued to searching for more. Schulte was pressed into making several fine saves in the closing minutes, and the Black & Gold earned a third road win of the season – in only four attempts.
With the victory, Columbus holds a three-point lead over Inter Miami CF, the next opponent roughly one-quarter through the 2025 MLS regular season.
On Saturday, the Black & Gold host Lionel Messi and Miami at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland for a clash of the east’s top teams. Secure your spot today.
