Columbus, Ohio — Lucas Zelarayán and Pedro Santos made their cases known for a potential MLS Player of the Week vote. Zelarayán and Santos each scored a goal and provided an assist in the Columbus Crew SC’s 2-1 victory over Minnesota United.
Right now, Columbus looks to be in a safe zone for qualifying for the MLS Playoffs. However, Minnesota United is slipping down the Western Conference, dropping down to seventh place. In the West, there are eight teams that will advance to the playoffs. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, 10 teams will advance.
And Columbus is currently on top in the Eastern Conference.
Zelarayán’s goal came first for the Crew, happening in the 31st minute. Santos doubled the Crew’s lead in the second half, with Zelarayán slotting a pass to notch the assist.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Robin Lod continued his goal-scoring run with his fourth goal of the season. Lod has started 10 of his 12 appearances for Minnesota United this season. His goal occurred in the 88th minute and was assisted by Chase Gasper and Raheem Edwards.
Lod’s goal gave Minnesota some hope of a potential comeback. However, the Loons could not build up a sufficient attack to equalize with the Ohio-based club. There was a bit of controversy at the end, though, in true MLS fashion. In the 93rd minute, José Aja found his way through a pair of Crew defenders and Emanuel Reynoso slipped him a through ball.
However, referee Ismail Elfath and his crew called the play offside.
In net for Columbus, Eloy Room made one save against newly acquired striker Kei Kamara. The Sierra Leonean striker joined the team on Saturday, coming from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
For Minnesota, Dayne St. Clair made three saves against Luis Díaz and Santos.
Hard-fought three.
30 points for your League-Leading #Crew96. pic.twitter.com/WuCJQkd3Za
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) September 24, 2020
What’s next for Minnesota United and the Columbus Crew?
Columbus will take on fourth-place Toronto FC in a heated rivalry match on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. EST. Meanwhile, Minnesota United will return back north to host Real Salt Lake on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST.
