{"id":18989,"date":"2018-09-01T22:17:20","date_gmt":"2018-09-02T02:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=18989"},"modified":"2018-09-01T22:17:20","modified_gmt":"2018-09-02T02:17:20","slug":"justin-meram-first-goal-return-columbus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2018\/09\/01\/justin-meram-first-goal-return-columbus\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Meram Scores First Goal Since Returning to Columbus Crew SC in Comeback Win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Justin Meram<\/a> re-opened his account in his second stint<\/a> with Columbus Crew SC<\/a> on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old winger’s header in the 63rd minute proved to be the game-winner in a 2-1 win for the Black and Gold<\/a> over New York City FC<\/a>. It came a mere two minutes after Harrison Afful equalized with a brilliant strike from outside the box.<\/p>\n

Justin Meram’s First Goal Since Returning to Columbus Crew SC Proves to Be Game-Winner in Comeback Win Over NYCFC<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The result moved Columbus back into fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Prior to the finish of the game, the Philadelphia Union actually moved ahead of them as a result of their 2-2 draw with Orlando City SC. The two teams were tied on 40 points but Philly owned the wins tiebreaker.<\/p>\n

Columbus controlled the tempo for a good portion of the game. Even in the first half, which ended scoreless, the Black and Gold enjoyed a 10-4 edge in total shots. That said, just 30 percent of them found their target compared to 75 percent for NYC in the first 45.<\/p>\n

On the other side of halftime, Crew SC continued their dogged search of the opening goal. But after Pedro Santos lost the ball near NYC’s box, the road team commenced a counterattack. Midfielder Maxi Moralez, who’s fourth in chances created per 90 among MLS players with at least 1,500 minutes of game action, dribbled towards goal and found Anton Tinnerholm. The NYC right back then flicked it to Ismael Tajouri-Shradi\u00a0who put it past goalkeeper Zack Steffen to make it 1-0.<\/p>\n

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Ismael Tajouri-Shradi <\/p>\n

That's 1\u20e31\u20e3 on the year #ForTheCity<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PV35DlPfgs<\/a><\/p>\n

— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) September 2, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n