Crew SC took on the Colorado Rapids in a preseason scrimmage, on Wednesday, January 31. The match was the Black & Gold’s first scrimmage of 2018 and featured different lineups in each half.
Crew SC’s first-half lineup featured newly acquired players Gyasi Zardes and Eduardo Sosa, as well as 2018 MLS SuperDraft pick Luis Argudo, amongst several familiar faces. The Black & Gold got the upper hand just two minutes into the match when Zardes sent the ball past Colorado Rapids’ goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Though the Black & Gold continued to press the attack, the Rapids managed to get a corner kick in the 26th minute. Colorado’s Kortne Ford managed to get himself on the end of the corner kick, equalizing for his team with a header.
The second half saw the introduction of an all-new lineup for Crew SC, which included new goalkeeper Jon Kempin, 2018 MLS SuperDraft pick Edward Opoku and Crew SC Academy player Aboubacar Keita.
After some minutes of end-to-end action, Luis Argudo managed to penetrate the Rapids’ defense to make it 2-1 in the 60th minute. Following the goal, Crew SC Academy player Colin Biros was introduced into the match.
Argudo’s goal proved to be the game-winner, as the match ended 2-1 in favor of the Black & Gold. Click here to see photos from the scrimmage.
FIRST HALF LINEUPS
Columbus Crew SC: Harrison Afful, Luis Argudo, Hector Jimenez, Cristian Martinez, Jonathan Mensah, Pedro Santos, Eduardo Sosa, Zack Steffen, Wil Trapp, Josh Williams, Gyasi Zardes
unsigned 2018 MLS SuperDraft selection.
Colorado Rapids: Stefan Aigner, Dominique Badji, Johan Blomberg, Nana Boateng, Edgar Castillo, Kortne Ford, Marlon Hairston, Tim Howard, Eric Miller, Axel Sjöberg, Jared Watts
SECOND HALF LINEUPS
Columbus Crew SC: Mohammed Abu, Lalas Abubakar, Luis Argudo, Alex Crognale, Niko Hansen, Adam Jahn, Jon Kempin, Aboubacar Keita, Connor Maloney, Edward Opoku, Eduardo Sosa (Colin Biros 60’)
unsigned 2018 MLS SuperDraft selection.
**Crew SC Academy player.
Colorado Rapids: Stefan Aigner (Michael Azira 60’), Dominique Badji (Caleb Calvert 60’), Johan Blomberg (Kip Colvey), Nana Boateng (Zac MacMath 60’), Edgar Castillo (Enzo Martinez 60’), Kortne Ford (Jack McBean 60’), Marlon Hairston (Dillon Serna 60’), Tim Howard (Alan Winn), Eric Miller, Axel Sjöberg, Jared Watts
GOALS
CLB – Gyasi Zardes 2’
COL – Kortne Ford 35’
CLB – Luis Argudo 58’
DISCIPLINARY
COL – Kortne Ford (caution) 20’
COL – Dillon Serna (caution) 82’
