Columbus Crew end struggles against Vancouver Whitecaps in season opener

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:59 am

Lucas Zelarayan had a goal and an assist as hosts Columbus Crew won its first game against the Vancouver Whitecaps in more than a decade by a final score of 4-0 in their respective season openers on Saturday.

Miguel Berry, the second-year striker who started over United States national team forward Gyasi Zardes, staked the Crew to a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute and Derrick Etienne Jr., followed in the 25th before Vancouver played the majority of the second half down a player.

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Luis Diaz scored in the 84th and Zelarayan slalomed the defense for the final goal two minutes later.

Vancouver was unbeaten in eight games (five wins, three draws) in the series since Columbus won the first two matchups against the expansion team in 2011. It was the longest undefeated run against any opponent in Whitecaps' history.

The temperature for the Crew's earliest home opener was 32 degrees with a wind chill in the low 20s.

Berry opened the scoring with a little help from Vancouver defender Ranko Veselinovic. Berry took a pass from Zelarayan at the top arc, spun and after a first touch fired on goal.

Columbus Crew players celebrate after scoring a goal against Vancouver in MLS.
Columbus Crew players celebrate after scoring a goal against Vancouver in MLS.
USA Today Images

The ball glanced off the head of Veselinovic and bounced past goalkeeper Thomas Hasal.

Berry last season was fourth in MLS in goals per 90 minutes (0.86), scoring eight times in 840 minutes.

Etienne doubled the score after a pinpoint 30-yard overhead ball to the left side of the box by offseason signee Yaw Yeboah from Ghana. Etienne went to the far post for the score.

The Crew had a 5-0 shots on goal advantage in the first half and the afternoon got even more difficult for the visitors when defender James Nerwinski was sent off for a second yellow in the 53rd minute, the latter for impeding Yeboah in the open field.

Eloy Room faced zero shots on goal for the game while Hasal made three saves.

The Crew is 3-0-3 in the past six home openers. This was the first at Lower.com, which opened for its first match on July 3 last year.