NATIONWIDE MAN OF THE MATCH FOR #NEvCLB: Darlington Nagbe
May 16, 2021
A late goal lifted the New England Revolution over Columbus SC via a 1-0 scoreline on Sunday evening, delivering the home side its first win over the Black & Gold in the last five meetings between the two Eastern Conference foes as the Revs improved to 3-1-2 on the season, while Columbus now stands at 1-2-2.
The hosts got off to a strong start, recording five shots in the opening 12 minutes. The team’s lone shot on goal from that period came from Arnor Ingvi Traustason, whose shot from inside the box was saved by Eloy Room.
Not much later, Room came up big again as the Curacao international did well to deny a close-range effort from Carles Gil in the 32nd minute.
Artur provided Columbus’ closest goal-scoring opportunity on the day with a rip from 20 yards out in the 62nd minute, but the attempt hit square off the post and returned to the field of play.
The game’s lone goal came in the 86th minute from substitute Adam Buksa, who came on just three minutes prior to scoring his second goal of the year and first game-winning goal of the season.
MATCH NOTES
- With his start in tonight’s road contest against the New England Revolution, forward Gyasi Zardes reached 200 MLS regular-season starts. Zardes played 66 minutes, registering two shots, winning six aerial duels and making one clearance. To date, the forward has made a total of 217 regular-season appearances, scoring 78 goals and providing 23 assists. Since joining the Black & Gold ahead of the 2018 season, Zardes has made 86 regular-season appearances (84 starts) while registering 44 goals and six assists.
- Midfielder Liam Fraser made his Columbus SC debut in tonight’s match against the Revolution. Fraser entered in the 65th minute in the center defensive midfielder position and had 16 touches, and completed 12 of his 14 passes for 85% passing completion. Fraser joined the Black & Gold on a loan agreement from Toronto FC on May 3. Fraser has made 33 regular-season appearances (20 starts) and added one assist in his four seasons with Toronto FC.
- With his start in tonight’s match, goalkeeper Eloy Room reached nine starts this season and continues to lead The Crew in starts across all competitions in 2021. Room has started every match in the 2021 season, registering four shutouts – two in MLS regular-season action and two in Concacaf Champions League action. Since joining The Crew in 2019, Room has made 34 regular-season appearances (all starts), while registering 11 shutouts.
- During tonight’s match, midfielder Darlington Nagbe led The Crew in passing accuracy, completing 56 of his 59 passes, for a passing accuracy of 94.9%. Midfielder Luis Diaz followed Nagbe with a 93% passing completion accuracy.
COURTESY COLUMBUS CREW COMMUNICATIONS
