COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC returned to its winning ways at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday night via a 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution. The Black & Gold were bolstered by huge offensive nights from forward Ola Kamara and midfielder Federico Higuain.
The 13th minute saw Kamara net a bending far-post chip over a diving New England goalkeeper Cody Cropper. Justin Meram was credited with the assist after providing a well-placed through ball.
Kamara was not finished for the night, later assisting Higuain's 53rd minute rocket that went over the outstretched hands of Cropper.
Kamara has scored in his last three home games and in four of his last five matches at MAPFRE Stadium. Saturday’s score marked his sixth goal of the 2017 Major League Soccer regular season. His assist to Higuain was his first this season.
Meram made his mark at home this season as well. The midfielder owns four goals and four assists through 10 games this season, all of which have come in Columbus with the exception of one assist. Meram has tallied at least one assist or one goal in each of Crew SC’s six home matches.
The Black & Gold also rose to the occasion defensively. A revamped back line held tight and recorded the clean sheet. Only seven combined 2017 regular season starts were owned coming into the match by the back line that included Hector Jimenez, Josh Williams, Jonathan Mensah and Waylon Francis.
The defensive statistics showed in favor of Crew SC. The Black and Gold won more tackles, made more saves and more clearances than New England by margins of 15-6, 5-4 and 23-13, respectively.
Crew SC (5-4-1, 16 pts.) handed New England (2-4-4, 10 pts.) its fourth loss of the season in the 69th all-time meeting between the Charter MLS clubs. The Black & Gold hold a 35-22-12 record in the series. Crew SC will meet the Revs again later this month at Gillette Stadium on May 21.
Scoring Summary
13’ – CLB – Ola Kamara (Justin Meram)
53’ – CLB – Federico HiguaÃn (Ola Kamara)
NOTES
Mr. 100
Crew SC Captain and midfielder Wil Trapp made his 100th regular season start for Columbus in the match against New England. The captain recently made his 100th appearance for the club. He was signed by Crew SC as a Homegrown Player on December 13, 2012 and owns 103 total appearances while scoring one goal and notching nine assists during that time.
Home Firepower
Crew SC has scored in every regular-season home match in 2017. Their two goals during the match against New England brought the home season total to 12 on the season. The Black & Gold ranked third in the MLS in home goals entering the match.
Sure-handed
Crew SC goalkeeper Zack Steffen continued his impressive play during the match against the Revolution as he recorded five saves and four crosses caught in the shutout effort. Steffen entered the game ranked third in saves in the MLS and second in terms of number of shots and shots on target faced, per Opta.
The Black & Gold will remain home at MAPFRE Stadium for a quick turnaround as they face Toronto FC on Wednesday May 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET in the second leg of the Trillium Cup.
