Four goals, temperature in the 70s, skydivers, fireworks and a deafening crowd reminiscent of 2008. It was almost the perfect night for the Crew as they ran riot with a 4-1 win over L.A Galaxy.
The game kicked off straight into high gear with both teams looking like they wanted to push for goals. L.A. had the early chances and looked like they’d draw first blood but player of the year candidate Steve Clark made several key saves to keep the opposing team at bay.
The Crew’s first goal of the evening produced yet another goal-of-the-week contender from Justin Meram. The midfielder jinxed around the edge of the box before unleashing a perfectly curling shot beyond Galaxy ‘keeper Jaime Penedo.
Next up came Ethan Finlay. This time Meram set up the goal with a through-ball that Finlay whipped the ball off the underside of the crossbar to give the home team breathing space going into half time.
As usual, the Crew started the second half slowly and allowed the Galaxy a lifeline as Gyasi Zardes pulled one back for the away side.
With L.A. pushing for an equalizer more space began to open up for the Crew to exploit on the break and late in the game substitute Ben Speas added the Crew’s third and in the 84th minute Giancarlo Ganzalez, playing arguably his best 90 minutes in a Crew shirt, nodded home a Federico Higuain corner to cap off a fantastic performance.
If only they could do this every week. Or, maybe just next week against Houston, which happens to be the next home game for the Crew on Saturday 23rd.
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Matt Ellis is a freelance photographer who covers bands that visit the city and the Columbus Crew MLS team. More about Matt can be found at Matt Ellis Photography.
