MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The Crew raced to a 6-1 victory over the New York Reds Bulls Monday in a MLS Reserve Division match at Montclair State University. Crew Soccer Academy star Chris Davis scored twice, while Justin Meram and Bernardo Anor both added a goal and an assist.
The Red Bulls took the lead 19 minutes into the match. Guest player Semso Nikocevic fired a long shot towards goal that Columbus keeper Andy Gruenebaum parried away, but the ball fell right to New York forward Marcos Paullo. The Brazilian was unmarked and easily fired the rebound into net.
But Columbus (3-1-0) evened the match just a minute later and went on to score six unanswered goals. Crew rookie forward Justin Meram took on the Red Bulls defense, and from the top of the box, tapped a through ball to Cole Grossman. From there, Grossman tucked the ball underneath goalkeeper Alex Horwath.
In the 26th minute, Meram turned from facilitator to goalscorer as he broke the tie on an impressive finish. From his own half, defender Korey Veeder floated a long ball over the Red Bulls’ defensive line. Meram ran on to the loose ball and from the right side of the box, placed his shot into the top left corner. The Crew took a 3-1 lead when Anor received a pass near the midfield line, and turned upfield before letting go a right footed shot that sailed past Horwath’s reach.
The Crew widened its advantage in the 59th minute on a goal by trialist Mike Jones. Off a corner kick, the ball was played directly to Anor at the top of the box. He fired towards goal, and the ball took a bounce off Jones. Horwath was unable to react in time as the ball bounded into the net.
Columbus got its fifth and sixth goals just three minutes apart, both coming from substitute Davis. Davis’ first came in the 82nd minute off a feed from Andy Adlard, and he scored again in the 85th minute with a blast from the right side of the box. The Gahanna native now has three goals in Reserve Division play.
New York Red Bulls – AlexHorwath, Teddy Schneider, Tyler Lassiter, Sacir Hot, Matt Kassell (Bolu Akinyode* 69’), John Rooney, Corey Hertzog, Marcos Paullo, Dane Murphy* (Brandon Adler* 59’), Sean Davis, Semso Nikocevic
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Konopka (GK)
Columbus Crew – Andy Gruenebaum (Alex Riggs 46’), Eric Gehrig, Korey Veeder (Ben Sippola 68’), ColeGrossman,Mike Jones,Aaron Horton (Chris Davis 68’), BernardoAnor, Justin Meram, JuliusUbildo* (Andy Adlard 46’), Shawn Francis, DejanRusmir (Kevin Burns 46’)
Subsitutes Not Used: None
* Denotes non-roster player
Scoring Summary
NY: Marcos Paullo (unassisted) 19’
CLB: Cole Grossman (Justin Meram) 20’
CLB: Justin Meram (Korey Veeder) 26’
CLB: Bernardo Anor (Mike Jones) 45’
CLB: Mike Jones (Bernardo Anor) 59’
CLB: Chris Davis (Andy Adlard) 82’
CLB: Chris Davis (Kevin Burns) 85’
Disciplinary Summary
NY: Matt Kassel (caution) 30’
CLB: Dejan Rusmir (caution) 45’
NY: Sacir Hot (caution) 46’
