The Columbus Crew welcomed Charlotte FC to town for the first time this season in proved a fiery matchup between both sides. Columbus came into this match looking to improve their positioning in the Eastern Conference against one of the most dangerous defenses in the league. The outcome never disappoints when these two teams play, and fans were in for a treat once the ball started rolling at Lower.com Field.

Slippery conditions made for a very intriguing matchup, with both teams having to put a little more pace on their passes.

Columbus got the attack going early, with Mohamed Farsi attempting to get the early goal in the 10th minute, but the shot from the Algerian international was easily saved by Kristijan Kahlina.

The Crew eventually got things started in the 25th minute, when Diego Rossi decided to let his shot from distance go, testing Kahlina. The Charlotte goalkeeper was able to make the save, but spilled the ball into the patch Dylan Chambost who followed the play and hammered it home to give the Black & Gold a 1-0 lead and making it his first in MLS.

AZ Jackson nearly doubled the lead for the Black & Gold in the 34th minute when Jacen Russell-Rowe intercepted a pass to find Rossi. Rossi found AZ through the middle, leading the midfielder in a 1-on-1 battle with Kahlina. The shot attempt was saved by the left hand of Kahlina, and out for a corner kick.

In the dying embers of the first half, the Crew were awarded a penalty after Liel Abada was whistled for a handball offense inside of the penalty box. Rossi converted the spot kick, giving him his sixth goal of the season.

Charlotte FC sliced the lead in half with a penalty kick of their own during stoppage time in the first half after Yevhen Cheberko fouled Brandt Bronico in the box. Wilfried Zaha added the goal to make the score 2-1 before both teams headed into the break.

The Crew wasted no time starting the second half, finding the scoresheet early. AZ tallied his second goal of the season with the help of Farsi in the 51st minute.

Charlotte pulled on back again in the 64th minute when Abada hammered home a loose ball that went over the outstretched arms of Schulte to make the score 3-2.

Jacen Russell-Rowe — who was a late sub for an injured Daniel Gazdag at the beginning of the match — got his name on the score sheet when he headed home a high cross from Max Arfsten to enhance the Crew lead to 4-2 in the 81st minute.

The visitors attempted to get something out of the game, but failed to convert any threatening opportunities, thus giving the Crew all three points and a win at home.

Columbus extends their record to 7-1-3 (W-L-T) and keeps their perfect record of wearing the Goosebumps Kit at home, making it 4-0-0.

Goals galore, again

The Columbus Crew just cannot stop scoring. Through 11 matches, the Black & Gold have scored 18 goals, making this season’s production tied for fourth most in Club history.

What’s next?

The Columbus Crew are on the road next weekend as they travel to take on the Philadelphia Union. Kickoff from Subaru Park is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.