Columbus Crew News: Cucho Hernandez scores in debut with game-winning goal

Cucho Hernandez (courtesy Megasportsnews.com)

HERNANDEZ MAKES CREW DEBUT, SCORES GAME-WINNER
Juan “Cucho” Hernandez made his MLS and Crew debut in
the Club’s 3-2 victory against Chicago Fire FC. The forward,
who came into the match as a substitute in the 63rd minute,
marked the occasion by scoring the game-winning goal in
the 83rd minute – a chip over Chicago’s goalkeeper Gabriel
Slonina. With the goal, Hernandez became one of only three
players to score the game-winning goal in his Club and MLS
regular-season debut, joining Lucas Zelarayan (March 1, 2020)
and Niko Hansen (March 25, 2017). Additionally, Hernandez is
the youngest Designated Player to score in his debut for the
Crew, ahead of Lucas Zelarayan (27 years at the time) and
Gyasi Zardes (26 years at the time).

ETIENNE JR. AND HERNANDEZ NAMED TO MLSSOCCER.
COM’S TEAM OF THE WEEK
Midfielder Derrick Etienne Jr. and forward Juan “Cucho”
Hernandez were both named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the
Week for Week 18 following their performances in the Crew’s
win over Chicago Fire FC. Etienne Jr. was named to the Team
of the Week starting XI after scoring two goals off the bench
against Chicago Fire to help kick-start the Crew’s historic
comeback. Hernandez was named to the Team of the Week
bench after coming into the match as a substitute and scoring
the game-winning goal in what was his Crew and MLS debut.

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