Crew extends unbeaten streak with win over Minnesota

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:14 am

Lucas Zelarayan and Pedro Santos each scored and had an assist when the Columbus Crew SC ran its unbeaten streak to six games with a 2-1 victory against visiting Minnesota United FC at Mapfre Stadium on Wednesday.

Zelarayan scored in the 31st minute and Santos made it 2-0 in the 70th for the Crew (9-1-3, 30 points) before Robin Lod countered for Minnesota (5-5-3, 18 points) in the 88th.

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Minnesota had the tying goal disallowed in the third minute of stoppage time because of an offside call that was upheld after a review.

Lod's goal was the first allowed by the Crew at home this season (628 minutes) where Columbus has not lost in six matches. Overall, the Crew are 4-0-2 in the past six games.

Zelarayan gave Columbus the lead to celebrate his return to the starting lineup. He missed two games with a knee injury and was a late substitute vs. Nashville SC on Saturday.

He got his fifth goal in nine games this season with a diving header from 12 yards after the curling cross from the left flank by Santos, whose sixth assist matched his 2019 total.

The Crew failed to extend the lead just before halftime. Luis Diaz drew a penalty by Chase Gasper in the first minute of stoppage time, but Zelarayan sailed the shot from the spot over the crossbar.

But the Crew kept pressuring Minnesota, which had five starters out with injuries and only six players on the bench.

Santos added the insurance goal with a double crossover before a low angle shot from the left side for his third goal.

Lod cut the deficit with left-footed volley for his fifth goal.

Former Crew forward Kei Kamara started for Minnesota after being acquired from Colorado on Saturday. By playing for his eighth team he tied Dominic Oduro for the most in league history.

The teams next play Sunday. Columbus faces Toronto in Hartford, Conn. Minnesota hosts Real Salt Lake.