By Mariana Smith

Match Notes:

• The Crew earned a 1-0 win against Atlanta United FC in today’s 2024 season opener at Lower.com Field.
  • The Black & Gold own a perfect 3-0 in home openers since Lower.com Field’s first full season (4-0 vs. Vancouver, Feb. 26, 2022; 2-0 vs. D.C. United, March 4, 2023; 1-0 vs. Atlanta United FC, Feb. 24, 2024).
  • Columbus is 16-3-10 all-time in MLS home openers.
• Columbus has scored in 15 consecutive MLS regular season matches.
• Midfielder Darlington Nagbe today started his 102^nd consecutive regular season match, a streak that dates back to May 1, 2021. He surpassed Philadelphia’s Jakob Glesnes for the third-longest appearance streak by an outfield player in league history. He sits just one match shy of Bobby Boswell (103 from 2013-16) for the second-longest stretch by a non-goalkeeper in MLS annals.
• Cucho Hernández scored a game-winning right-footed goal in the 27^th minute.
  • Cucho became the 15^th player in MLS history to reach 40 goal contributions (26 goals, 14 assists) in his first 44 MLS regular season or fewer.
  • Including the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Cucho has recorded a goal contribution in nine consecutive matches, registering eight goals and two assists during that span.
  • Cucho was named today’s Nationwide Man of the Match for his performance.
• Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte earned a clean sheet in today’s contest, his ninth career shutout (seven regular season, two postseason).
• Today’s attendance of 20,406 marked the 18^th consecutive MLS sellout at Lower.com Field.

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