NYCFC beats reeling Columbus Crew SC to pull even with Atlanta in East

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:29 am

Jesus Medina's goal in the 80th minute broke a scoreless draw and helped New York City FC cap a perfect week with a 2-0 victory against Columbus Crew SC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.

NYC (40 points) moved into a tie with Atlanta United for the most points in MLS after beating the New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Sunday, Montreal 3-0 on Wednesday and handing Crew SC (30 points) their fourth loss in five games.

Atlanta hosts Seattle on Sunday.

Defender Anton Tinnerholm scored an insurance goal in the 90th minute, his third of the season, as Crew SC pressed for the equalizer and were caught outnumbered in the back.

NYC went ahead when a giveaway by Crew SC goalkeeper Zack Steffen led to a shot by Jonathan Lewis. It hit the left post and came back to Lewis, who sent a cross to the middle of the box where Medina scored for the fourth time this season and second time in as many games.

Jesus Medina, center, celebrates his goal.
Jesus Medina, center, celebrates his goal.
AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

The result gives NYC a 10-0-1 record at home, outscoring opponents 27-4.

Columbus has scored three road goals in 10 away games, have been blanked nine times overall and have won just once in the past eight matches.

Crew SC's Eduardo Sosa was given a red card in the third minute of second-half stoppage time for throwing an elbow.

For the second match in a row, NYC had a combined 20 goals and six assists out of the lineup because of injuries to forwards David Villa (eight goals, four assists), Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (eight goals, two assists) and Jo Inge Berget (four goals).

Their absence didn't make a difference.

Crew SC return home to play Orlando City on July 21. NYC is off next weekend before playing at Orlando City on July 26.