Columbus Crew: 2020 MLS Cup Champions




Columbus Crew SC delivered on their lofty aspirations from a 25th Major League Soccer season like no other, winning the 2020 MLS Cup in convincing fashion in what’s likely the last major game at MAPFRE Stadium, the first soccer-specific ground in league history.


Behind an inspired performance from club-record signing Lucas Zelarayan, the Crew resoundingly beat the Seattle Sounders 3-0 on Saturday night, denying Seattle a championship repeat and returning to MLS's peak for the first time since 2008. The Crew, who entered new ownership in 2018 after a fan-led movement to keep the club in Ohio, overcame incredible adversity to lift the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.  


Zelarayan put an exclamation point on his MLS Cup MVP presented by Audi performance, icing the game in the 82nd minute by making it 3-0. The Argentine playmaker collected a Luis Diaz pass atop the 18-yard box, then lashed home his left-footed shot to the top corner to cap a clutch performance from the midfielder.


The Crew were without winger Pedro Santos and midfielder Darlington Nagbe after both were deemed not medically cleared to play and later confirmed they had tested positive for COVID-19, though their absences were hardly noticeable – especially during a dominant first half. And Columbus found their reward in the 25th minute when Zelarayan made it 1-0 for the hosts, peeling to the back post and willing a left-footed shot past Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei, making the most of a deep, early cross from right back Harrison Afful.


The Crew doubled their lead six minutes later, with Derrick Etienne Jr. curling home a delicate shot to the far corner. The Haitian international winger earned the 2-0 advantage in the 31st minute, one-timing a right-footed shot with finesse after Zelarayan faked his shot and picked out the incisive pass.


Seattle made four substitutions between halftime and the 60th minute, including both outside backs, looking to recapture the magic of their comeback victory over Minnesota United FC in the Western Conference Final.


Those efforts fell short, though, with Nicolas Lodeiro cushioning a layoff from Jordan Morris just wide in the 71st minute. Cristian Roldan also came close in the 51st minute when his corner-kick header missed the top corner, and Morris hit the crossbar with a header in the 80th minute. Yet they couldn't get one past Eloy Room, who finished with two saves upon his return to the lineup.


Goals

25' – CLB – Lucas Zelarayan | WATCH

31' – CLB – Derrick Etienne Jr. | WATCH

82' – CLB – Lucas Zelarayan | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: The Crew are moving into a new soccer-specific stadium next year, and there’s no better way to welcome that era than this MLS original capping 2020 with a title. They also missed the playoffs in 2019, but were in the Supporters’ Shield race much of this year until injuries took their toll. Add in COVID-19 cases during the postseason, and a lot was going against Caleb Porter’s team. But they buckled down, replacements like 19-year-old Homegrown midfielder Aidan Morris stepped up and they stopped Seattle from winning their third MLS Cup in five years. The Sounders had the “been there, done that” card, yet it didn’t matter in the end.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Lucas Zelarayan was simply stellar for the Crew, providing two goals and one assist. He finished the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs with two goals and five assists in four games, proving why the Crew made the former Tigres UANL midfielder their record signing. 


MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The 2-0 goal from Derrick Etienne Jr. in the 31st minute was absolutely clinical and sent a clear statement. The Crew were all over Seattle in the first half, and this insurance strike formalized how the game would unfold.

ISML 2020: Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo!

ISML 2020: Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo!


By Jo-Ryan Salazar

The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue

December 12, 2020


Match Day 3 of the 2020 Ruby Period is history. In the Female Division, Mikoto Misaka thumped Sagiri Izumi 4391-3042, Iroha Isshiki scored the Upset of the Round, a 3535-3433 scalp of Asuna Yuuki, Maki Sakurajima routed Kuroko Shirai 4662-2932, Rin Tohsaka defeated Ruiko Saten 4021-3299, Ai Hayasaka eased past Chino Kafuu 3994-3341, Shiro got past Saber 3753-3123, Kurisu Makise prevailed over Schwi Dola 3315-3123 and Kaguya Shinomiya dominated Mio Akiyama 4212-3199.


Wrapping up Female Division action, Yukino Yukinoshita throttled Shouko Nishimiya 4560-2660, Mashiro Shiina smashed Yui Yuigahama 4113-3436, Rikka Takanashi rocked Megumin 3849-3066, Emilia bounced past Hina Amano 3888-2710, Nanami Aoyama cruised past Index Prohibitorum 3839-3407, Nao Tomori overcame Utaha Kasumigaoka 3519-3144 and Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Eriri Spencer Sawamura 4863-2267.


In the Male Division, Riku Dola rocked Yuu Otosaka 3433-2619, Touma Kamijou broke Shirou Emiya 3574-2748, Kazuma Satou leveled Levi 3601-2828, Edward Elric won the closest race of the round, a 3131-3099 upset of Subaru Natsuki, Sorata Kanda defeated Shidou Itsuka 3080-2833, Saitama punched Yato 2917-2807, Rintarou Okabe prevailed over Takashi Natsume 3111-3014 and Miyuki Shirogane crushed Kiritsugu Emiya 4261-2503.


Wrapping up Male Division action, Sakuta Azusagawa dominated Archer 4022-2670, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji defeated Tanjiro Kamado 3191-2974, Tomoya Okazaki took down Taki Tachibana 3166-2788, Yuuta Togashi cruised past Willem Kmetsch 3568-2135, Yuzuru Otonashi shot down Gilgamesh 3128-3066, Saika Totsuka toasted Masamune Izumi 3771-1992, Lancer impaled Eugeo 3046-2936 and Yuu Ishigami roared past Ryuuji Takasu 3765-2649.


Finally, in idol action, Yui-nyan rolled past Yuuna Shigemura 3579-2539, Kotori Minami eased past Nico Yazawa 3230-2636, Maki Nishikino torched Honoka Kousaka 3468-2140 and Tsumugi Kotobuki defeated Rin Shibuya 3213-2821.


Match Day 4 of the 2020 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for December 13, 2020. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.