A week after Diego Rossi officially hit one year with the Crew, the forward scored two goals against Sporting Kansas City on Friday, contributing to Columbus' 4-0 victory to advance in Leagues Cup round of 16.
Rossi's goals, one scored in the final minutes of the first half and the second happening 10 minutes into the second, were boosted by goals from two new Crew additions.
One minute after being substituted into the match for the first time since being traded to Columbus on July 30, DeJuan Jones scored off an assist from Jacen Russell-Rowe. Dylan Chambost, who the Crew signed in June but entered his first official match for Columbus against Kansas City, scored three minutes after Jones.
Columbus will face Inter Miami on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Lower.com Field in the next round of Leagues Cup.
(79') Dylan Chambost scores first official goal for Columbus, Crew take 4-0 lead over Sporting Kansas City
Crew forward Dylan Chambost became the second player to score in his official debut for Columbus on Friday, finding the ball off a save from Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp. Chambost used one touch to send back towards, and this time into, the goal to give Columbus a 4-0 lead.
(77') DeJuan Jones scores one minute after making Columbus Crew debut
Crew midfielder DeJuan Jones made his debut for Columbus, entering the match for midfielder Max Arfsten in the 76th minute of the match. Just one minute later, Jones scored his first goal with the Crew following a corner kick from Dyaln Chambost that went too far out, forcing Jacen Russell-Rowe to go retrieve it on the other side of the field, in Kansas City's box.
Once gaining control of the ball, Russell-Rowe found Jones on the left side of Kansas City's box, and Jones was able to score after taking a few dribbles. Crew take 3-0 lead over Kansas City.
Columbus Crew announce sellout crowd for first 2024 Leagues Cup game
The Crew have announced a sellout crowd of 20,397 were in attendance for Columbus' Leagues Cup round of 32 match against Sporting Kansas City on Friday.
(68') Columbus Crew substitutes two more players in following Diego Rossi goal
Along with Crew's two substitutions, Kansas City made a substitution of its own:
- Crew replace forward Christian Ramirez with Dylan Chambost
- Crew replace forward Cucho Hernandez with Alex Matan
- Kansas City replaces defender Tim Leibold with Logan Ndenbe
(62') Columbus Crew make their first substitution vs Sporting Kansas City
Crew defender Yevhen Cheberko replaces Malte Amundsen.
(57') Diego Rossi scores second goal vs Sporting Kansas City, Columbus Crew take 2-0 lead
Forward Diego Rossi found the back of the net for the second time of Friday against Sporting Kansas City early in the second half. Kansas City defender Robert Rosero deflected an in-bounce pass from Crew midfielder Mo Farsi, but Rossi was able to recover the ball outside the top-center of Kansas City's box and took a long shot that went to the right of goalkeeper John Pulskamp.
Crew take 2-0 lead over Kansas City.
(56') Sporting Kansas City makes two substitions
Sporting Kansas City made the first substations of the match over 10 minutes into the second half:
- Forward Stephen Afrifa replaces Daniel Salloi
- Forward Willy Agade replaces Johnny Russell
(52') Steven Moreira sends shot attempt over Sporting Kansas City goal, into crowd
Crew defender Steven Moreira took the opportunity to attempt his first shot of the game from a long range, being multiple feet outside of Kansas City's box. Moreira, who has recorded two goals in 2024, sent the ball over the goal and deep into the section of fans directly behind the net.
(45') Columbus Crew take 1-0 lead into halftime vs Sporting Kansas City
Diego Rossi's goal in the final minutes of the first half gave the Crew a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
In the first half, the Crew took six shots, three on goal while Kansas City took two shots, one on goal. Columbus controlled the possession in the half, having a possession rate of 57.7%
(44') Diego Rossi scores Columbus Crew's first goal vs Sporting Kansas City
Making a diagonal run in Kansas City's box, Rossi was able to score a quick, one-touch goal off a pass from Cucho Hernandez, who made the pass from outside the top of Kansas City's box. Rossi sent his shot to right corner of the net, past a diving Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp.
Columbus leads 1-0 in the first half.
(35') Crew goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen records first save vs Sporting Kansas City
Crew goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen was forced to make his first save of the game, recording the save off a shot attempt from Kansas City forward Daniel Salloi in the center of the box.
(34') Sporting Kansas City makes stop near goal line off Columbus Crew corner kick
Taking Columbus' first corner of the match, Crew forward Diego Rossi sent the corner kick into Kansas City's box that teammate Rudy Camacho was able to track down to attempt set up a header shot attempt. Camacho's shot was stopped inches in front of the goal line by Kansas City defender Tim Leibold and goalkeeper John Pulskamp.
(31') Cucho Hernandez long-shot attempt saved by Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp
Crew striker Cucho Hernandez took what was Columbus' best shot attempt of the match, launching a shot from well outside Kansas City's box. With a clear path to the goal for the ball, Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp jumped in front of the ball, going towards the right corner of the net, and made the save to prevent Hernandez for scoring.
(23') Diego Rossi high-kick shot attempt too soft
Crew forward Diego Rossi continued to attempt to create offensive momentum for Columbus and took a high-kick shot over two Kansas City defenders from the middle of the opponent's box off a pass from strike Cucho Hernandez. Rossi's attempt was too soft, rolling right into the hands of goalkeeper John Pulskamp.
(17') Potential Sporting Kansas City goal ruled offsides
Kansas City forward Erik Thommy took a close-range shot to the right of Columbus' goal and goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen that slowly rolled into the net for what could have been a goal, but the official on the field was quick to indicate that Thommy was offsides, overruling the goal.
(13') Diego Rossi looks to create shot attempt within Sporting Kansas City bx
Looking to get the Crew's first shot on the board, Diego Rossi attempted to take a heavily contested shot within Kansas City's box. The ball was immediately deflected and hit out of bounce by Crew striker Cucho Hernandez, setting up a goal kick for Kansas City.
Both Rossi and Hernandez questioned the official for the no-whistle, as Rossi went down while attempting the shot, which made the two believe there could have been a penalty against Kansas City.
What new players are available for Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City?
For the first time since their acquisitions, Dylan Chambost and DeJuan Jones will be available for the Crew in an official game on Friday against Sporting Kansas City. Aziel Jackson will also be available to make his official Lower.com Field debut, after playing his first game for Columbus on July 20 against Atlanta United on the road.
Andres Herrera, who Columbus received on a loan from Argentina's River Plate on Monday, is unavailable against Kansas City.
More:Columbus Crew look to 'make the most' of Leagues Cup, how will new players factor in?
Sporting Kansas City starting lineup vs Columbus Crew
Here is the starting 11 for Kansas City vs Columbus:
- GK: John Pulskamp
- DF: Tim Leibold
- DF: Kayden Pierre
- DF: Dany Rosero
- DF: Robert Voloder
- MF: Jake Davis
- MF: Remi Walter
- FW: Alan Pulido
- FW: Johnny Russell
- FW: Daniel Salloi
- FW: Erik Thommy
Columbus Crew starting lineup vs Sporting Kansas City
Here is the starting 11 for Columbus vs Kansas City:
- GK: Nicholas Hagen
- DF: Malte Amundsen
- DF: Rudy Camacho
- DF: Steven Moriera
- MF: Max Arfsten
- MF: Mo Farsi
- MF: Darlington Nagbe
- MF: Sean Zawadzki
- FW: Cucho Hernandez
- FW: Christian Ramirez
- FW: Diego Rossi
Who are the referees for Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City?
Here are the officials for the Crew vs Kansas City on Friday night:
- Referee: Juan Gabriel Caldron Perez
- Assistant Referee 1: William Arrieta
- Assistant Referee 2: Willian Chow Barrios
- Fourth Official: Marianela Araya Cruz
Who will Columbus Crew face if they advance vs Sporting Kansas City?
The winner of the Crew-Kansas City match on Friday will go on to face Inter Miami, who defeated Toronto FC 4-3 to advance to the round of 16. Miami, the 2023 Leagues Cup winners, have been playing without star players Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who are both missing from action due to injuries.
If the Crew are to advance, the Columbus-Miami match will be at Lower.com Field, as the Crew were granted home field advantage throughout the tournament due to winning the 2023 MLS Cup. The club has confirmed that the match will be held in Columbus.
More:Will the Columbus Crew play Lionel Messi in Cleveland? A breakdown of what we know
Columbus Crew overall record vs Sporting Kansas City
The Crew are 24-26-9 overall against Sporting Kansas City.
Sporting Kansas City's path to Leagues Cup knockout stage round of 32 vs Columbus Crew
In the West 4 group with the Chicago Fire and Liga MX's Toluca FC, Kansas City first defeated Chicago 2-1 but fell to Toluca with the same score. As the second-ranked club coming out of the group, Kansas City drew the Crew in the bracket.
How did Columbus Crew do in 2023 Leagues Cup
The Crew started the 2023 Leagues Cup in the Central 1 group with St. Louis City and Club America.
After defeating St. Louis 2-1 in their opening match of the tournament, the Crew faced Club America, one of the top teams in Liga MX, on the heels of Columbus announcing the transfer of their star midfielder Lucas Zelarayan to Saudi Pro League's Al Fateh. Hours after the announcement, the Crew picked up a 4-1 victory over Club America.
Columbus went into the knockout stage with home field advantage in the round of 32 against Minnesota United. The two clubs finished regulation tied 1-1, sending the game straight to penalty kicks. With misses attempts from Kevin Molino, Steven Moreira and Malte Amundsen, the Crew fell to Minnesota 4-3 in penalty kicks and were knocked out of the tournament.
More:Columbus Crew's Aziel Jackson brings passion for soccer and art
How to listen to Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City radio broadcast
The Crew vs. Kansas City English-speaking radio broadcast will be on Alt 105.7 FM and available via the iHeartRadio app. Columbus' regular radio broadcaster Chris Doran will be on the call.
The Spanish radio broadcast can be found on La Grande 102.5 FM and the La Grande radio app with Juan Valladares doing play-by-play.
Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City streaming information
The Crew-Kansas City matchwill be available on Apple TVthrough MLS Season Pass. As a free match of the day, no subscription is required, just a free Apple login. Here are the broadcast teams for tonight:
- English broadcast: Tyler Terens (play-by-play), Kyndra de St. Aubin (analyst)
- Spanish broadcast: Bruno Vain (play-by-play), Andres Agulla (analyst)
When is the Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City match?
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9 at Lower.com Field
bmackay@dispatch.com