Crew and Timbers fight to 2-2 draw

The Columbus Crew were back on home turf Saturday night to take on the Portland Timbers, a team in which they haven’t secured a win against since 2017. The Crew came into this match on the short end of the series with, only securing three wins against the Green & Gold.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to get on the scoresheet when Eryk Williamson was able to find a streaking Felipe Mora into the penalty box. Mora collected the ball and placed his shot past Patrick Schulte in the 10th minute of play to gain a 1-0 lead.

In the 14th minute, Diego Rossi found space just at the top of the 18-yard box for a left-footed attempt, but the shot would trickle just wide of the frame.

Cucho Hernandez thought he equalized the match in the 27th minute but was negated by the offside flag. The Crew generated the goal-scoring opportunities, but the big problem was finishing chances.

Columbus almost had its tying goal in the 40th minute when Mohamed Farsi had a shot on goal that ricocheted off of the far post but fell right into the hands of Portland Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis.

Columbus found themselves down 1-0 at the half, and wanting to look for answers to kickstart the second half.

Answers would come in the form of a Hernandez goal in the 52nd minute when Rossi squared a ball back across the penalty area for Hernandez who placed it comfortably into the back of the net with his right-footed shot. Just minutes later, Santiago Moreno would put the Timbers back in front with his goal in the 57th minute.

Hernandez was inches away from securing his second of the game with a diving header in the 63rd minute, but the chance would go just wide of the net. The Crew later saw three attempts go to waste, with shots either blocked or saved. It wasn’t until the 75th minute when Steven Moreira scored a world-class goal to tie the game at 2-2 from approximately 30 yards out from goal into the top corner.

The Timbers were knocking on the doorstep in the 85th minute when Evander had his shot stopped by Schulte keeping the score knotted at 2-2.

In the last minute of the game, the Crew were awarded a free kick which Hernandez stepped up to take. The ensuing kick hit the crossbar and rolled across the goal line back out before being deflected away for what would have been a corner kick, but the center official would end the game.

Columbus now sits 0-0-2 when the opposition scores first at home, and 0-0-1 when trailing at the half.

Cucho Hernandez aura is alive and well

After being handed a two-game suspension and essentially a third due to being issued a red card two weeks ago, head coach Wilfried Nancy said that this game would be a new beginning for the Colombian forward. It indeed was a new beginning as Hernandez got his name on the scoresheet on his birthday, with his game-tying goal in the 52nd minute.

Two points lost, or one point won?

It’s easy to debate how you view the 2-2 draw against the Timbers. Did the Crew lose two points, or did they win a point? With this game being their fourth draw in a row, the Crew looked to have earned a point given how many times they were fighting from behind. It’s going to take more confidence and being more decisive in the game if the Crew want to pull out a win.

What’s next?

The Columbus Crew host CF Monterrey in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final. Kickoff from Lower.com Field is set for 8:15 pm EDT.

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