Decision Day for MLS NEXT Pro is in the books and the Columbus Crew 2 is heading to the playoffs. The defending champions finished in third place in the Eastern Conference after a 3-2 victory against Atlanta United 2 on Sunday.

Crew 2 wasted no time scoring as captain and midfielder Marco Micaletto scored in the second minute. Forward Gibran Rayo attempted a slip ball in behind Atlanta defender Noah Cobb. Cobb was able to get a touch but it was too heavy as Micaletto rounded the defender and sent a hopeful shot in between his legs. Goalkeeper Sebastian Guerra had stepped up but was caught off his line and the Black & Gold celebrated early. 

Columbus kept the pressure on in the 19th minute, winning a corner. Forward Coleman Gannon put a cross in, finding Rayo, who popped the ball up to the on-rushing full back Abdi Mohamed. Mohamed put a laser past the keeper to give Crew 2 a 2-0 advantage. 

Rayo was then rewarded for his unselfish play in the 31st minute when he latched onto a long through ball and ran into the penalty box. Kofi Twumasi put a shoulder into the back of Rayo, taking him down and winning a penalty kick. Rayo stepped up and made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way and getting his goal.

Atlanta fought back to claim one goal back in the first half. Defender Clay Holstad pulled down an attacker in the 18-yard box giving United a free kick on the edge of the box. The free kick found an unmarked Cobb, who put it past the debutant goalkeeper Nathan Salerno.

The action slowed down in the second half as the urgency for Crew 2 dropped with a 3-1 lead and Atlanta already eliminated from the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs. A few chances came and went and United cut the lead to one in the 82nd minute when Meija kept himself onside, going one-on-one with Salerno. Salerno got a foot to the ball, taking the pace off of it, but the defense was unable to get to the ball before it cleared the line. 

Impressive Season

Head coach Laurent Courtois was more impressed with this year’s Crew 2 finishing third in the East than last year’s team being as dominant as they were. He credited general manager Corey Wray for pulling together the 2022 team. 

Last season, the Black & Gold saw 35 different players see the field, with 28 of those players starting at least one match. This season, 47 different players saw the field for Columbus’ reserve side, 37 of whom made starts. Fourteen unsigned Academy players made debuts, with a few signing professional contracts with Crew 2. The inconsistency of the starting lineups, the youth and the inexperience made the third-place finish more satisfying for the head coach. 

The season is not over yet, as Columbus is set to host a playoff game and make a run in the postseason. In the first round of the playoffs, New England Revolution II will choose between Orlando City B, Philadelphia Union II or Chicago Fire II. Crew 2 will get to choose to face any of the remaining teams.