The Columbus Crew remain unbeaten through their first eight matches to start the 2025 season, claiming all three points against St. Louis CITY SC with a 2-1 win. Steven Moreira and Diego Rossi notched the goals in the Crew’s first-ever MLS meeting against CITY on Sunday evening from Energizer Park. 

St. Louis got the party going early in the seventh minute of play when Joao Klauss hammered a shot off the crossbar and got his rebound to head the attempt to the far post, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. 

Columbus then took matters into their own hands, dominating the possession battle. 

In the 11th minute, Max Arfsten nearly equalized but couldn’t get on the end of the pass from Mo Farsi. It was all Columbus from then on, with glimpses of opportunity from the CITY side. 

Klauss nearly doubled the lead midway through the half, but his chance went just wide of the frame. 

Steven Moreira came close to leveling the match for the Black & Gold in the 34th minute with a shot that didn’t have much power behind it right at CITY goalkeeper Ben Lundt. Little did one know the foreshadowing that was to come. 

Former CITY player AZ also took a chance to bring Columbus to terms with his shot in the 40th minute, but Lundt made the easy save. 

In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Moreira got his first goal of 2025 after firing home a cross from Arfsten to send Columbus into the break with all the momentum. 

Daniel Gazdag made his Crew debut to start the second half and did not disappoint. 

Ten minutes into the last period of the match, Diego Rossi tallied his fifth goal of the season. Gazdag found Dylan Chambost with a through ball, sending him on a run towards goal before sliding the ball to Rossi. With one touch to collect, Rossi fired Columbus into the lead with his shot from outside the 18-yard box with his right foot. 

CITY did not go down without a fight, leveling the match halfway through the second half through Klauss. Columbus was saved by the offside flag, with VAR deeming Klauss offside by the slightest of margins. 

The Crew had nervy moments in the latter stages of the match, nearly giving up the equalizer to CITY multiple times, but Patrick Schulte stood tall to the task to keep the score 2-1. 

Gazdag nearly completed the perfect debut as he got a goal but was denied by the offside flag late in the second half. 

Columbus were able to hang on to the 2-1 lead, extending their unbeaten streak to eight matches and being unbeaten in their last 11 MLS regular season matches, making it the third longest stretch in Club history. 

Gazdag makes Crew debut

The Columbus Crew fans saw their new man in action as Gazdag entered the match to start the second half. He claimed the secondary assist on the Rossi goal, starting the play. 

Goals galore

With two goals tonight, the Crew posted their 46th match with multiple goals, the most since 2023. 

What’s next? 

The Columbus Crew travel North to Cleveland to host Inter Miami CF in a battle of the unbeatens. Kickoff from Huntington Bank Field is set for 4:30 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.