Columbus Crew Snatch Victory in Final Minute Against Houston Dynamo

The Columbus Crew defeated the Houston Dynamo in the last seconds of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. It was an exciting turn of events. 

For the second consecutive game, the Crew witnessed a late-game twist, this time in their favor, as Alex Matan netted a crucial goal off a free kick from Aidan Morris in the final minute of stoppage time.

The triumph followed a 1-1 draw against Minnesota just four days prior, where the Crew conceded a goal in the dying seconds of the match. The resilience showcased by the team in adjusting their approach and securing a victory in the final moments was a source of pride for Crew coach Wilfried Nancy.

The match unfolded with VAR playing a decisive role, with both teams having goals disallowed after video reviews. Houston’s Ethan Bartlow and Columbus’ Christian Ramirez found the back of the net, only for VAR to rule them offside.

Nancy’s strategic changes in the second half, including key substitutions like Ramirez, Matan, and Cucho Hernandez, injected freshness and tactical adjustments into the lineup. Matan, making a late appearance as the final substitution in the 78th minute, ultimately became the hero of the night.

Columbus’s Bid for Tournament Advancement

Diego Rossi, a consistent starter for the Crew, had a promising opportunity to score his first goal of the year in the 15th minute, but his attempt was cleared over the goal by Houston’s goalkeeper Steven Clark.

Marino Hinestroza, making his first appearance for the Crew, showcased the speed the club had touted before the season. 

However, a questionable decision in the 38th minute saw him miss an open goal opportunity. Subsequently, Hernandez replaced Hinestroza in the second half but was unable to convert any of his five shot attempts. As the series shifts to Lower.com Field for the second leg, Columbus holds a slender 1-0 advantage. 

With the winner determined by aggregate goals, a tie in the upcoming match would secure the Crew’s passage to the quarterfinals of the competition. The stage is set for an intense showdown as Columbus aims to build on their hard-fought victory and advance in the tournament.