Midfielder Lucas Zelarayáncurled in a back-post cross to a wide-open Gyasi Zardes to lift Columbus Crew SC to a 1-0 victory over Phoenix Rising FC in the opening match of the 2020 Visit Tucson Sun Cup in Tucson, Ariz on Saturday evening.
Zardes recently joined preseason camp following a cap with the U.S. Men's National Team vs. Costa Rica on Feb. 1 and notched his second goal of preseason with a snapping game-winning header to propel Crew SC past the 2019 USL Championship regular-season champions.
Prior to Columbus' goal, goalkeeper Eloy Roomdid well to keep the match level with a double save.
The Curaçao international doubled-down with the penalty-kick save in the 51', while Zardes netted the header in the 73'.
As far as the standings are concerned, the New York Red Bulls and Houston Dynamo drew 1-1 while Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake drew 0-0 on Saturday. Crew SC currently leads the standings with 3 points and +1 goal differential.
Up next, Crew SC plays the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
The live stream of Wednesday's match will be available for free at ColumbusCrewSC.com/Tucson.
