COLUMBUS – After snapping a long drought with their first victory of the 2026 campaign last weekend against Atlanta United, the Columbus Crew entered Sunday’s showdown with Orlando City SC brimming with confidence and urgency. Buoyed by a much-needed boost in morale and a glimpse of the attacking cohesion Henrik Rydström and Crew supporters have been waiting to see, the Black & Gold looked to build momentum and secure back-to-back wins against the Lions, who were also hungry for points to climb higher in the Eastern Conference table. 

Orlando City controlled the first 20 minutes, attacking Columbus from all angles. Orlando had a chance early on in the 12th minute when Griffin Dorsey sent a cross to Tiago Carvalho, but the header missed just left of the frame. Just minutes later, the Lions got the opening goal, their first road goal of the season. Carvalho found Marko Pasalic at the center of the box with a low pass, giving Pasalic time to slot it to the far corner with his left foot. 

In the 22nd minute, striker Wessam Abou Ali would go down on a non-contact injury, immediately grabbing his right knee. In an attempt to disposses Brian Ojeda, Abou Ali landed on his right in an uncomfortable position, causing the injury. After being tended to by the medical staff, the Palestinian international returned to play, clearly favoring his right knee on runs. Abou Ali then went down again in the 32nd minute, grabbing the same knee, motioning for a substitute. Taha Habroune would enter for Columbus as Abou Ali was then stretchered off. 

The first half’s final minutes saw Columbus be better. The chances were there, but Orlando’s stellar defense kept Columbus quiet. The best chance for the Crew came in the 38th minute when Dylan Chambost unleashed a low shot towards goal, but the attempt was deflected out for a corner kick. 

To start the second half, it was much more of the same. Columbus, frustrated, tried to find the equalizer. Orlando wanted to kill the clock early, attempting to burn as much time as possible every chance they got. 

Columbus nearly leveled the match in the 76th minute through Max Arfsten. With the winger running down the right flank, Jamal Thiaré dribbled through a plethora of Orlando City defenders to find Arfsten with a through ball to his right foot. After collecting, Arfsten attempted to go low on goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, but the Canadian made the outstretched save to deny the winger. 

The Crew would finally get their chance through Diego Rossi, with help from Habroune. With some passing sequences in the attacking third, the Columbus Crew Academy product scooped the ball into the running path of Rossi, who hammered his shot to the far post, bringing the Black & Gold level to 1-1 in the 80th minute.

After both teams traded opportunities in the last minutes of the second half, the points would be split. With the draw, that now brings Columbus to 8-10-6 all-time against Orlando City, 1-3-3 so far this 2026 season.