DeJuan Jones scored in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, Jacen Russell-Rowe added an insurance tally in the 10th and the Columbus Crew pulled away to a 4-2 win over visiting New York City FC on Saturday night.
Diego Rossi contributed his 10th goal and 11th assist of the season for third-place Columbus (14-4-7, 49 points), which completed a season sweep of NYCFC (11-10-6, 39 points) and maintained its two-point deficit behind second-place Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference standings.
Max Arfsten completed the scoring for the defending 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup champions, who have won 11 of their last 14 in all competitions.
Substitute Mounsef Bakrar appeared to rescue a late point for New York City when he scored on an 86th-minute counterattack.
Alonso Martinez added his 11th league tally early for NYCFC, which was the only team to force Columbus to penalty kicks during their recent Leagues Cup title following a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals 15 days ago.
NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese exited the game late in the first half to an apparent leg injury, and was replaced by Luis Barraza. And the visitors finished with 10 men when Julian Fernandez was sent off by referee Ted Unkel for unsportsmanlike conduct following Jones’ winner, a result that saw fifth-place NYCFC remain three points behind the fourth-place New York Red Bulls.
At the time of Bakrar’s strike, a draw looked to be the deserved result in a game with even chances on both ends.
But the Crew found an extra gear in the dying stages thanks to two goals from manager Wilfried Nancy’s substitutes.
First it was Jones who popped up open just above the 6-yard box during a goalmouth scramble to reach a header from another substitute, Alexandru Matan. With only Barraza to beat, Jones poked an instinctive finish inside the left post.
With the visitors reduced to 10 men following the goal, Russell-Rowe was there to guide home the rebound after Barraza denied Rossi’s initial attempt for a second of the game and 11th of the campaign
–Field Level Media