COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Crew head into the World Cup Break with a morale boost.
The Black and Gold battled with Atlanta United FC at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on Sunday evening in front of 19,782 fans and gave the home crowd something to cheer for. The Crew defeated Atlanta 2-0 and earned three points at home. Sekou Bengoura scored his first goal in black and gold to give the team a 1-0 lead. Later in the first half, Diego Rossi scored his team-leading 6th goal of the season. Mo Farsi returned to form with two assists.
The victory marks two in five days for interim head coach Laurent Courtois.
“He knows everyone’s strengths a little bit more because he’s been around us for a couple of years now,” Crew midfielder Max Arfsten said. “I think the three-back system, it just brings the most out of everyone’s qualities, and everyone’s kind of moving around, flowing in ways we know how to. it’s been fun. You can tell on the field, like, we’re enjoying it a lot more, to be honest.”
Patrick Schulte earned a clean sheet in goal for the Crew.
The positive results are a welcome change from the rough start to the season. Courtois said he is relieved to get the result.
“I would say relieved to get the points or the victories, but just to let the guys were able to show who they are, and we got on the same page,” he said. “They were brought in, and they executed, and we also learned to suffer too, like the second half, and we were ready to take that challenge also. I can’t be more pleased.”
The Crew pause play for eight weeks during the World Cup. Their next MLS match is not until July 22.
