Recap: Columbus Crew SC vs Seattle Sounders 12/13/2020

Columbus Crew SC He fulfilled their lofty aspirations from the 25th season of Major League Soccer like no other, as they convincingly won the MLS Cup 2020 in what is likely to be the last major match at MAPFRE, the first dedicated football stadium in league history.

Behind an inspiring performance from a club record Lucas Zillarian, The crew overcame resoundingly on Seattle Sounders 3-0 Saturday night at home, depriving Seattle of a repeat championship and a return to MLS climax for the first time since 2008. The Crew, who entered new ownership in 2018 after a fan-led move to keep the club in Ohio, overcame an unbelievable ordeal to lift the Philip Cup P. Anschutz.

Zelarayan put an exclamation mark on his own MLS MVP Cup Introduction by Audi Performance, Leads the match in the 82nd minute by making it 3-0. The Argentine playmaker A. Louis Diaz He crossed an 18-yard square, then shot his left foot shot into the top corner to achieve the clutch performance of the midfielder.

The crew was without a wing Pedro Santos And a midfield player Darlington Nagby Due to positive cases of COVID-19, although their absence was not noticeable – especially during the dominant first half. Columbus found his bonus in the 25th minute when Zillarian made it 1-0 for the home side, jumping to the back post and wanting a left-footed shot past the Seattle goalkeeper. Stephan FryAnd make the most of a deep and early cross pass from the right-back Harrison Fall.

The Crew doubled their lead after six minutes, with Derek Etienne Jr. Curling home accurate shot into the far corner. The Haitian international winger secured a 2-0 advantage in the 31st minute, with a single-timed right-footed shot brilliantly after Zillarayan falsified his volley and assist.

Seattle made four substitutes between the first half and the 60th minute, including the outside full-back, looking to regain the magic of their comeback and their victory over Minnesota United In the Western Conference Final.

These efforts were unsuccessful Nicholas Laudero Almost home cushioning from layoffs Jordan Morris In the 71st minute. Christian Roldan He also came close in the 51st minute when he missed a header from the top corner corner kick, and Morris hit the crossbar with his header in the 80th minute. However, they couldn’t get past the past. Eloy room, Who finished with two saves upon his return to the squad.

Columbus could have scored a third goal in the first half, but Fry’s reaction was fine to save a powerful goal. Giacy Zardis Shot in the 17th minute. The Crew’s striker collected a padded header from Josh Williams From a corner kick, but his effort was rejected with his left foot on the doorstep.

Objectives

• 25 ‘- CLB – Lucas Zillarian | Watch
• 31 ‘- CLB – Derek Etienne Jr. | Watch
• 82 ‘- CLB – Lucas Zillarian | Watch

Three things

• The Big Picture: The Crew moves to a new soccer stadium next year, and there’s no better way to welcome this era than the original 2020 MLS Championship with a title. They also missed the qualifiers in 2019, but they were in the Fan Shield Race for most of this year until injuries took their toll. Add in the COVID-19 cases during the post-season period, and it was a lot against the Caleb Porter. But they faltered, substitutes like the 19-year-old midfielder Aidan Morris They moved up and banned Seattle from winning their third MLS Cup in five years. The Sounders were the “there was, did it” card, however it didn’t matter in the end.
• Man of the Match: Lucas Zillarayan was simply excellent on the team, providing two goals and one pass. He finished the 2020 MLS Audi Cup Qualifiers with two goals and five assists in four matches, proving why the crew made the former Tigres UANL midfielder a particular player.

• Match moment: The 2-0 goal by Derek Etienne Jr. in the 31st minute was very quick and sent a clear statement. The Crew was all over Seattle in the first half, and this insurance strike officially shaped how the game would develop.