With playoff positioning beginning to take shape as we enter into the latter stages of the 2025 MLS season, the Columbus Crew traveled to Atlanta in desperate need of a win after going winless in league play for over a month. With a 0-0 draw under their belts just two weeks ago, Columbus looked to end the playoff hopes of Atlanta United Saturday night. The Crew welcomed back Darlington Nagbe into the fray after missing significant time due to an injury, but found themselves without Sean Zawadzki after he suffered an injury during the international break.

One might deem any match against Atlanta a trap game, but the Black & Gold put that narrative to sleep quickly in the first half.

After a quick Five Stripes press, the Crew broke the deadlock in the 14th minute with Diego Rossi pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area to slot it home comfortably into the open net. Just minutes later, it was Rossi again with an easy tap-in from Daniel Gazdag to double the lead and notch a brace within the opening 20 minutes of play.

New striker Wessam Abou Ali tallied his first MLS and Crew goal in the 25th minute. Dylan Chambost found Andres Herrera making a run underneath, who played Gazdag just inside the 18-yard box. Gazdag poked the ball towards Abou Ali, and a one-time strike from the Palestine international saw the Crew go up 3-0.

Herrera found himself getting in on the fun five minutes later, when his left-footed strike curled towards the far post past goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert.

Columbus would score their fifth goal of the first half through Rossi, practically mirroring the two before. Abou Ali played Herrera out wide, and a low driven pass found the Uruguayan forward at the penalty spot to tap it past Hibbert for the hat-trick. With the goal, Rossi would claim his first hat-trick in MLS since April of 2019, and his first ever for the Black & Gold.

Atlanta would gain a goal back in first-half stoppage time after Yevhen Cheberko fouled Jamal Thiare inside the penalty box. Miguel Almiron would convert the spot kick to make the score 5-1 at the half.

The Five Stripes found life in the second half, getting another goal just seconds in through Pedro Amador, who headed home a cross from Brooks Lennon. Stunned, all Columbus could do was pick the ball out of the net and restart at the center circle.

Minutes later, Jamal Thiare would get his first of the night in the 50th minute to pull the Five Stripes within two goal. Suddenly, a sense of belief came from the hosts as they aimed to come back and keep their playoff aspirations alive.

Will Reilly nearly scored in the 65th minute when Almiron’s cross found the legs of Reilly, but the attempt was pushed over the frame by Schulte. Atlanta was knocking on the door, but Columbus stood firm. Though the firmness was tested throughout.

Thiare scored his second of the night in the waning minutes of the second half, heading home a Stian Gregersen cross. Patrick Schulte was able to get a hand on the ball as it floated to the back post, but it wasn’t strong enough. Atlanta found four unanswered goals, leaving Columbus shellshocked and fans feeling queasy instead of celebratory.

Multiple attempts by Atlanta to find an equalizer were created, but fell short, ending their playoff hopes.

What’s next?

The Crew returns to action on Wednesday, September 17, as they travel to take on New York City FC. Kickoff from Yankee Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.