The Columbus Crew returned to MLS action on Sunday night at Lower.com Field and Wilfried Nancy’s squad picked up where they left off in league play.
Columbus scored twice in the first half before adding an insurance goal in second-half stoppage time in a 3-0 Hell is Real Derby victory over FC Cincinnati. The result helped the Crew earn SBI MLS Team of the Week honors and extend their unbeaten run to four matches in all competitions.
Aidan Morris’ blistering strike in the 15th minute opened the scoring for the Crew against their in-state rivals. Roman Celentano had to watch as Morris celebrated his fourth league goal of the campaign.
Cucho Hernandez doubled the Crew’s lead just eight minutes later from the penalty spot, putting added pressure on FC Cincy.
Despite Cincy’s best efforts to get back into the match, the Crew used a 96th minute insurance goal from Jacen Russell-Rowe to seal comfortable 3-0 victory. The win was Columbus’ first against FC Cincy since July 2022 and one that moved them to fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Orlando City, Houston Dynamo, St. Louis CITY SC and Atlanta United also earned honorable mention honors for their Week 23 results.
Here is a closer look at the rest of Week 23’s Best of MLS:
Player of the Week
Atlanta United’s four-match winless run came to an end Sunday night with Georgios Giakoumakis stealing the show at Lumen Field.
Giakoumakis scored a brace in the Five Stripes’ 2-0 road triumph over the Seattle Sounders, which was Atlanta’s first road win since July 8. The Greek international has continued to be one of more prolific scorers in MLS this season, totaling 12 goals in 18 appearances.
Giakoumakis’ header in the 11th minute gave Gonzalo Pineda’s squad an early advantage in the Pacific Northwest. The 28-year-old would add his second goal of the match in the 65th minute to give Atlanta United some breathing room.
He also won eight of 14 duels, made three tackles, and drew two fouls as the Five Stripes returned to league play on a positive note.
The Five Stripes are up to seventh in the Eastern Conference following Sunday’s needed victory.
Nicholas Gioacchini, Samuel Adeniran, and Mathieu Choinere earned Man of the Match honorable mentions this week.
Goal of the Week
Samuel Adineran has been a positive addition to the St. Louis CITY SC first team squad this season and that trend continued Sunday with an impressive solo effort.
Adineran’s first of two goals in Sunday’s 6-3 victory over Austin FC will definitely be among the Goal of the Season contenders. The 24-year-old received a pass in the Austin FC box before curling a right-footed effort into the top-right corner.
Adineran would add a second goal in the 95th minute to cap off a strong night for Bradley Carnell’s men. He now has five goals and one assist in 10 MLS appearances in 2023.
St. Louis CITY SC remain top of the Western Conference with 44 points through 24 matches.