Crew Coverage pres. by Medical Mutual | Nancy: ‘Well done’ after beating NYCFC

For the second time in a week, the Columbus Crew won a match via last-minute dramatics at Lower.com Field.

A week ago, it was the Leagues Cup Final. Then it was two goals on Saturday night in the 90th minute or later. The circumstances might’ve been different – this was a regular season match – but the point remains that the Black & Gold can still find success when playing through adversity.

“This is another way to win. I'm really proud of that,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said after the match. “This is what I told my players, I said, ‘Yes, I was frustrated a bit by the fact that we didn't control the game the way we wanted to do it, but we found ways to score goals.’

“Knowing that this is our seventh game in 21 days, I cannot be frustrated. This is impossible for me. I have to respect what they did. Yes, it's been a long time that we haven't had the possession [over the opponent]. In first half, they had the possession for 56 or 57 percent. We suffered with that, but again, we were able to go back and to be together and to be clinical. This is what we did.”

The visitors took the lead four minutes into the match, but Diego Rossi found the equalizer in the 17th minute through a brisk attack. Cucho Hernández, from the left side, played a through ball across the field to Christian Ramirez, who played it into the box. From there, Rossi got his body on it for his 19th goal across all competitions in 2024.

Rossi now has 10 goals and a career-best 11 assists in MLS play this year. He also became the fifth player in Crew history with 10 or more in both categories in a single season, joining Cucho (2024 & 2023), Lucas Zelarayán (2022), Ethan Finlay (2015) and Jeff Cunningham (2001) as the only players to accomplish the feat.

Columbus took the lead for the first time in the 58th minute when Rossi found Max Arfsten for his career-high fourth goal in league play this campaign.

The lead didn’t last, though. New York City FC equalized in the 86th minute, simmering the mood inside the stadium.

But the Crew pushed through.

In the 93rd minute, DeJuan Jones was a late hero once more against NYCFC with the game-winner by finishing an Alex Matan cross.

Seven minutes later – in the 10th minute of stoppage time – Jacen Russell-Rowe once again scored a late clincher.

With the 4-2 win over NYCFC, Columbus continues its best start to a season in club history, with 49 points from 25 games. This is all while conceding just a goal per match, which tops MLS.

As Nancy mentioned, the Crew just played seven games in just three weeks. Now, there will be a minor let-up, as the Black & Gold have a week to prepare for next Saturday night against Seattle Sounders FC at Lower.com Field.

“Really, really pleased and really happy knowing the context of where we are now and what we did during 21 days,” Nancy said. “Well done with the game. Well done.”