Columbus Crew 2 traveled to Matthews, North Carolina, to take on Crown Legacy FC in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs on Sunday. It was a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Crew in the Eastern Conference semifinals, handing Crown Legacy the team’s first ever-home defeat. 

The match started slowly, with Columbus having a couple early opportunities. In the 13th minute, Crew 2 almost got a chance on goal when forward Coleman Gannon received a pass, drawing the defenders out of position. The pressure was enough that Gannon could not get a clean pass to a streaking wing back Noah Fuson, who would have been on goal. As it stood, Fuson kept possession, and midfielder Gio De Libera had the first shot on target of the match. 

In the 16th minute, forward Mateo Bunbury worked the ball to midfielder Taha Habroune, who got a good shot off, but Crown Legacy was able to block the shot and kill off the Black & Gold attack. 

After those early attacks by Columbus, Crown Legacy took over the match, controlling the possession and turning up the pressure on Crew 2 goalkeeper Stas Lapkes.

Lapkes had to make a double save in the 28th minute when defender Joao Pedro sent a 40-yard rocket on target. Fortunately for the visitors, the goalkeeper was able to parry the ball away. Forward Patrick Agyemang then put a header towards Lapkes, who claimed the ball and ended the danger. 

Crown Legacy continued to pepper Lapkes’ goal with shots right before the halftime whistle. The goalkeeper was forced to come up with a big save when midfielder Iuri Taveres took a shot off a cutback pass. 

Head coach Laurent Courtois made a tactical shift at halftime, taking Bunbury off and moving Fuson into the central forward role. Courtois also brought on defender Diego Almeida.

Almeida connected with Fuson in the 50th minute from his center back position as the forward made a run in behind the defense. Fuson did not waste his chance and buried his shot, giving Crew 2 the 1-0 lead.

Crown Legacy kept pouring on the pressure in an attempt to get the equalizer, but Lapkes did not let the home side through. The goalkeeper denied Crown Legacy in the 63rd, 84th, 86th, 87th and 90th minute to keep the clean sheet and send Crew 2 to the Eastern Conference Final.

The Crew head north

Columbus will travel to Gillette Stadium to face New England Revolution II in the Eastern Conference Final. Crew 2 and Revolution II split the regular season, with the home team winning and recording a clean sheet each time. 

Forward Jordan Adebayo-Smith leads the lines for New England, recording 12 goals this season. A headed goal from defender Victor Souza off a set piece was the match decider against New York Red Bulls II in the Eastern Conference semifinals.