Despite being reduced to 10 men, the Columbus Crew earned an impressive point on Saturday night (Sunday morning for supporters back home) at MLS newcomers San Diego FC to remain unbeaten in 2025 regular season play.
In truth, the 1-1 score line was a fair result for two clubs, both unbeaten, who played an open game. Whereas the Crew spent their three previous matches combating a low block, Saturday night was a tilt against two sides who pass it around the park and look to entertain.
“We played with a lot of personality,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said afterward. “We faced a really good team. We played good football, and we stayed calm and composed when we didn't have the ball.
“What I like about the red card is we played with personality. We tried to play the same way, tried to attack when it was the good moment, tried to keep the ball when it was the good moment, and we were brave.”
The Crew took an early lead 13 minutes into play when California-native Max Arfsten combined with DeJuan Jones for a clinical goal.
The goal was Arfsten’s first this season, while Jones produced his first assist in his first start.
Adversity arrived in the second half, though, when Malte Amundsen was sent off for a last-man challenge in the 61st minute. Then, eight minutes later, the equalizer arrived when Columbus only had nine players on the pitch. Yevhen Cheberko was on the sideline being evaluated for a concussion.
“I respect the rules – we conceded the only goal because we had Cheba out for the concussion [evaluation],” Nancy said. “Again, we want to be proactive in MLS, and I like that because we put the rules that we have 10 seconds to come out [after a substitution]. Is it possible to have the possibility to adjust that if there is a concussion and if there is already a guy out for the red card, that we can be more… I don't know… Just common sense.”
While the Crew nearly reclaimed the lead five minutes later through Diego Rossi, the sides played to a draw, and the Black & Gold earned a point against a Western Conference club for the second-straight game.
And what matters here is the big-picture context. The match was Columbus’ fifth in 15 days. It was also the second time the Crew have played in California this month, having faced LAFC on March 4 in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16.
In addition to jetsetting across the country, and the midweek clashes, the Black & Gold played with 10 men and continued to maintain the same mentality that’s carried the club the last few seasons.
“For me, this is unbelievable,” Nancy said. “I think that this game is the first time that we had this kind of situation – we played already with 10 men, but that we played with personality like this away, knowing that we played Tuesday and we traveled. I love my team. I love it. This is a really, really great performance that we had against a really good team.”
