Crew down CF Montreal to end 7-match winless run

Updated: May 15, 2024, 10:26 pm

Diego Rossi scored the go-ahead goal and Steven Moreira had two assists as the Columbus Crew earned their first win in two months, defeating host CF Montreal 3-1 on Wednesday.

Rossi scored in the 59th minute to make it 2-1, and Marino Hinestroza extended the lead to 3-1 in the 89th, five minutes after entering the match.

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The Crew (4-2-6, 18 points) ended a seven-match winless streak (two losses, five draws) since defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-0 on March 16.

Montreal (3-6-3, 12 points) has lost three straight and is winless in five matches, including a 0-0 tie at Columbus on April 27.

Max Arfsten put Columbus ahead in the 19th minute before Mathieu Choiniere's penalty kick in the second minute of first-half stoppage time leveled the score 1-1.

Rossi scored on the counter for the winning tally. Moreira raced down the middle after an outlet from Christian Ramirez, who accepted a return pass in the final third.

Ramirez gave it back before cutting behind Moreira, who then slipped him the ball on the right side. As the defense converged, Ramirez spotted Rossi at the goal line for the easy tap-in.

It was Rossi's first goal in MLS play this season, but he does have three in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Moreira's cross set up the strike by Hinestroza for his second MLS goal of the season.

The Crew got their first goal when Arfsten scored in a second straight match to complete a buildup involving half the Crew's field players. A pass from the back by Yevhen Cheberko went to Rossi on the left flank. He sent a cross into the box to Ramirez, who flicked the ball to Alexandru Matan. His shot was saved by Jonathan Sirois, but Arfsten was at the right post to clean up the rebound.

Montreal equalized thanks to a through ball by Choiniere that sent Joaquin Sosa free into the box. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte came off the line and nudged Sosa while going for the ball, drawing a yellow card as well as giving Montreal the penalty.

Choiniere roofed the spot kick for his first goal of the season.

With the match in the middle of a stretch of three in eight days, Crew leading scorer Cucho Hernandez (four goals) did not play.