Justin Meram scored his first goal since his return to Columbus, as the Crew fought back from a goal down and bested New York City FC 2-1 on a rain-soaked Saturday night at MAPFRE Stadium.
After a scoreless first half that saw chances fall to both teams, it was the visiting New Yorkers that took the lead early in the second-half when Ismael Tajouri-Shadi bagged his 11th goal of the season and gave the small pocket of traveling fans high up in the stands something to celebrate.
Columbus quickly pulled themselves together and stunned NYCFC with two goals in three minutes.
First up came a rocket from Harrison Afful when the Crew SC wing-back followed up on his own blocked shot to sweetly smack the ball from outside the box that flew past NYCFC ‘keeper Sean Johnson.
Crew SC finished the sucker-punch with man of the match Meram — looking like a player hungry to get back to his best — popping up at the far post to head home from close range following a Columbus corner.
Despite a late surge from the visitors, Crew SC managed to hold on to the lead and secure all three points.
