Gyasi Zardes converted on an 18th-minute penalty kick before Vancouver's Fredy Montero leveled the game in second-half stoppage time as the Columbus Crew drew the Whitecaps 1-1 on Sept. 21 at BC Place.
A called-foul against Vancouver's Zac MacMath on Pedro Santosset up Zardes' PK finish, as the striker now holds 13 goals on the season, including nine on the road - the most of any American in Major League Soccer.
Columbus posted a handful of solid chances, while Eloy Room, who is still searching for his first shutout with Crew SC, showed off his quick reflexes on a Vancouver shot that left fans wondering how it did not trickle in.
The Crew outshot Vancouver 18-8, including 8-3 in shots on target. Santos led the game with five chances created while David Guzman, who subbed out for Wil Trapp early in the second half, recorded a team-high three tackles.
Up next, the Crew returns to MAPFRE Stadium for the home finale on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. ET against the Philadelphia Union.
Lineups:
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Columbus Crew SC
MATCH NOTES
Gyasi Zardes made his 175th MLS regular-season start (190th appearance) in todayās road contest against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Zardes marked the occasion by converting a penalty kick in the 18th minute to score his 13th goal of the 2019 regular season. Notably, this was Zardesā fifth goal in his last four road matches, as he previously tallied a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes (August 3), recorded a brace against FC Cincinnati (August 25) and scored a goal against Atlanta United (September 14). In 2019, Zardes has made 26 regular-season appearances (all starts), providing two assists to go with his 13 tallies.
With his goal in the 18th minute of today's match, forward Gyasi Zardes took his 2019 regular season penalty kick goal total to three. Zardes has a perfect penalty kick conversion rate this season, having converted all three of his penalty kick attempts in 2019. Previously this season, Zardes converted penalty kick attempts against New York City FC (June 1) and against FC Cincinnati (August 10).
Defender Jonathan Mensah reached 75 regular-season appearances (72 starts) for Crew SC with his appearance in todayās road match. Mensah played the entire 90 minutes, registering six clearances, making three interceptions and winning all three of his aerial duels. In 2019, the defender has made 22 regular-season appearances (20 starts).
With its result in tonightās match, Crew SC extended its undefeated streak to four consecutive matches, dating back to a 3-1 home victory over FC Cincinnati (August 25). Over that span, the Black & Gold have posted a record of 2-0-2.
Next up, Crew SC hosts the Philadelphia Union for its final regular-season home contest of 2019 on Saturday, September 29 (5:00 p.m. ET / FOX Sports Ohio, FOX Sports GO / 1460AM ESPN and streaming online via the āListen Liveā button at 971TheFan.com / Spanish audio on ColumbusCrewSC.com).
