After the celebrations of winning the 2020 MLS Cup 123 days prior, the Columbus Crew played its first competitive game of the new season on Thursday night. And like that special game at historic Crew Stadium when the Black & Gold defeated the Seattle Sounders 3-0 for the team’s second league championship last December, the Crew looked convincing in a 4-0 victory in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 tie against Nicaraguan side Real Esteli.
Columbus got goals from forward Gyasi Zardes (twice), center back Jonathan Mensah and winger Pedro Santos at Estadio Nacional de Futbol to seal the win.