Fresh off a forgetful midweek defeat in Nashville, the Columbus Crew returned to winning ways on Saturday night with a challenging, but convincing, 2-1 win over D.C. United at Lower.com Field.
With the win, the Crew are unbeaten in six of their last seven, with five wins.
“We took a slap against Nashville. I can tell you that we had a few discussions but in a positive way because in terms of attitude, I had nothing to say to my team – spot on, spot on,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said after the match. “After that, we have to bring the extra one percent, and they did it well.
“Today was not an easy game. This is normal to win? No, this is not normal to win. I really enjoyed to see the performance because we were on the task and we were on the mission to get better individually because collectively, we are good.”
As Nancy said, there was a strong collective performance, in addition to individuals standing out with moments of individual brilliance.
Taha Habroune’s massive week continued, as he earned his first career MLS start. This arrived seven days after he scored his first goal last Saturday at FC Cincinnati in Hell is Real.
But there was also Designated Player Dániel Gazdag, who scored his first goal in Black & Gold. Columbus threatened to score throughout the opening half hour, but the Hungarian broke the deadlock when he converted a 32nd-minute penalty that he earned two minutes prior.
“Soccer is like that. There are always times when you struggle with goals, but obviously it was bad that it happened when I joined the new team, so I wanted to score as soon as possible,” Gazdag said. “But I'm happy that it happened today, and obviously, thanks for Diego [Rossi], he was a great teammate today.”
Rossi, who normally takes Crew penalties, told Gazdag to take the penalty instead.
D.C. scored the equalizer through Christian Benteke three minutes into the second half – via his side’s only attempt on target – but the match felt like it was always tilting in Columbus’ favor.
Throughout the game, the Black & Gold camped in United territory, generating one attacking threat after another. Eventually, the game winner arrived in the 78th minute, when Lassi Lappalainen scored his first goal for Columbus two minutes after entering the match.
While the side debuted their Heritage Kits, a beautiful throwback to the old days at Ohio Stadium and Historic Crew Stadium, the team also celebrated one of its best players ever.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto was inducted into the Crew Circle of Honor, presented by OhioHealth.
Schelotto, who helped the team win its first-ever MLS Cup in 2008 and the Supporters’ Shields in 2008 and 2009 was represented by his family members in attendance at Lower.com Field.
It was fitting that the Crew’s current players honored the club’s past with a professional three points against an early MLS rival.
Saturday night was a throwback evening that celebrated the past.
In addition to Schelotto being honored, fellow Crew Circle of Honor members Brian McBride and Frankie Hejduk were also in attendance, as well as Duncan Oughton, Dante Washington, Tom Presthus, Jonathan Mensah and more.
The Black & Gold are a storied team. But they’re also one with a very, very impressive present. The win over D.C. felt like a fitting tribute to the past, but also an indication the players in this 2025 Crew side might one day be celebrated in similar fashion.
Nancy was right. Winning isn’t easy – and it’s not normal. But Columbus has made winning the standard. Saturday night was a reminder that was the case in the past, in the present, and hopefully in the future.
