Charleston, SC. — If Hell Is Real, Columbus Crew SC were in heaven on Saturday night. The Black & Gold capped off the 2019 preseason undefeated with a 3-0 win over in-state rivals FC Cincinnati in the third and final game of the Carolina Challenge Cup.
Columbus got on the board early courtesy of last season’s leading scorer, Gyasi Zardes. Winger Pedro Santos tucked inside and, with his back to the goal, flicked a pass to Federico Higuain. The midfield maestro quickly played a through ball to Zardes and the forward fired a shot to the back post and into the net.