The 2020 MLS season kicked off in Columbus Sunday as Columbus Crew SC started off the year with a 1-0 win over New York City FC.
The return of the MLS also meant the return of MLS refereeing as it took all of three minutes before NYCFC saw center-back Maxime Chanot dismissed with a straight red card after clipping Crew new-boy Lucas Zelarayan. Referee, Ramy Touchan rather generously decided that Crew SC had been denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and swiftly reduced the away team to ten-men and set up the remaining 85+ minutes to be a game of patience as NYCFC quickly hunkered down.
Crew SC piled on the pressure but were unable to break a stubborn New York defense until early in the second half, thanks to a moment of brilliance for Zelarayan.
Another driving attack ended with a probing ball into the away box and onto the foot of Zelarayan, whose deft touch allowed the forward to turn his man and make room for a sweet curling shot that found the roof of the goal, giving opposing ‘keeper Shaun Johnson no chance.
Columbus were unable to extend their slender lead but did enough to hold the visitors back to see out the game for a opening day win.
Long-time Crew announcer, Dwight Burgess, who has now stepped down as voice of the Crew, was honored before the game with a jersey presentation.
Next up for Crew SC is an away trip to Seattle, next Saturday evening.
For more information, visit columbuscrewsc.com.
Matt Ellis is a freelance photographer who covers bands that visit the city and the Columbus Crew MLS team. More about Matt can be found on his Instagram.
All photos by Matt Ellis
