COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew return to Scotts Miracle-Gro Field looking to steady a season that has yet to find its rhythm, hosting the LA Galaxy after a 2-1 setback to the New England Revolution. With just one win on the campaign, Henrik Rydström’s side has struggled to establish the clinical edge and late-game composure that defined previous runs. Goals have been hard to come by, leads have proven fragile, and the overall chemistry–particularly in the attacking third– remains a work in progress without Wessam Abou Ali. Compounding the on-field issues are two mass confrontation fines already levied against the Club this year, a signal that frustration may be bubbling internally as much as it is directed at opponents. Against the Galaxy, the Crew are searching not only for three points, but for cohesion and control in a season threatening to drift further away from land.

After a prolonged four-hour weather delay that pushed kickoff deep into the evening, the match finally got underway under a sense of restless anticipation. What was scheduled as a routine home fixture turned into a test of focus and composure before a ball was even played. Both sides were forced to rest mentally and physically, but for the Crew–already searching for rhythm and stability–the extended delay only added another variable to an evening that demanded resilience from the opening whistle.

Columbus entered the first half as the most dominant team of the two, controlling possession with 55%. With 15 touches in the opposition’s box, the Crew was able to let off 11 total shots (2 on target). Their best chance came in the 40th minute when Daniel Gazdag made a near-post run to tap in a Hugo Picard pass with his left foot past JT Marcinkowski for his first goal of the season.

The Black & Gold picked up right where they left off to start the second half with their attacking prowess on full notice.

Just two minutes into the second half, Diego Rossi scored his fourth goal of the season with the help of Max Arfsten. Arfsten dribbled into the 18-yard box in a 1v1 situation with the defender before slipping a pass to Rossi to his left. After collecting the loose ball on a bad first touch, it was an easy shot to the right of Marcinkowski, who already committed to his left, doubling the Crew’s lead.

In the end, neither side consistently imposed itself in the final third, with sustained pressure often fading before producing clear-cut chances. The Crew was still the more assertive and organized side for much of the night, controlling possession and creating the better looks on goal, but once again struggled to fully capitalize on their attacking opportunities. That inability to put the match out of reach proved costly, as the Galaxy cut the Crew’s lead in half in the 86th minute through Gabriel Pec. Though the cleansheet was whisked away, the Black & Gold held firm to the end to claim all three points, getting their second win of the season.

Daniel Gazdag scores first of 2026

Since joining the Columbus Crew in April of 2025, Daniel Gazdag has found it quite hard to settle in. To start the season, fans only saw Gazdag a handful of times for minimal minutes. On Wednesday, Gazdag started and scored his first goal of the 2026 campaign. He will definitely be wanting more to solidify a spot in the starting lineup, especially with the absense of Abou Ali.

The team had an anger never seen before

To circle back on the aforementioned fines to the Club, the Crew had a bite never seen before this season, on Wednesday night. Head coach Henrik Rydström wanted this team to have a bit more edge, and that showed. Columbus committed 13 fouls, and to the surprise of many, it seemed okay to the Swedish coach. “It was good that we got a lot of free kicks against. I like it.”

What’s next?

The Columbus Crew are back in action Saturday as they host the Philadelphia Union. Kickoff from Scotts Miracle-Gro Field is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on Apple TV.