Columbus Crew SC lost the team’s first game of the season at New York City FC 1-0 on Monday night. Looking flat after a quick turnaround from Thursday’s game and the unusual travel situation to minimize time out of Columbus, the Black & Gold struggled to their first goalless result on the year.
NYCFC, playing at “home” at Red Bull Arena, opened the game with an intensity that suggested they were looking to put the early-season struggles behind them. The Crew struggled to get the ball into the attacking half of the field. The only bright spot early in the first half was when Derrick Etienne set up Gyasi Zardes for a finish, but the play was called back for offside.