Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United - Full Game Highlights - February 24, 2024

Led by Captain Darlington Nagby and the MLS Cup MVP Cucho Hernandez fresh off a 16 goal season. Atlanta United was eliminated from last year's playoffs in this very stadium. They'll employ a 4-2-3-1 with a decision to start Captain Brad Guzan at goalkeeper. He'll fight for the number one job this season as an MLS Cup champion already. Game two of this 2024 MLS season is underway. We're so glad to have you with us on MLS Season Pass. Amundsen, Yeboah, Russell Rowe, Cucho centrally puts it out to left foot, saved by Guzan. And he's able to keep this ball in play. Fullbacks never get respect in these end of the year votes, but I had him best 11 last year, Brooks Lennon. He was tremendous last year for Atlanta. This ball to the foot of Farsi, able to play, there's Jason Russell Rowe, fired and missed. The first golden opportunity for either side. MLS All-Star a year ago as well. They go over the top. They want Farsi, off his right as Guzan, Russell Rowe with a shot blocked away, did it go off an arm? No signal yet. The flag is up. It would have been a big, big moment in the game if the flag didn't go up for the offside. Morris was undercut, first part of the match is issued today. Atlanta United side deny Cucho initially, but now one back by the crew and the touch by Cucho out wide back, Rossi with a shot that's blocked away and over the bar. Started to tilt the possession battle really in the last five minutes, the crew, here they are again, that switch to the left side, play it ahead, flag stays down for Rossi, works it across, Guzan got a foot two and Cucho, oh boy, he's off and running in 2024, Cucho Hernandez and the crew with a 1-0 lead. And then Cucho Hernandez, well, he does the rest of the far post. It's not the easiest to finish as you've got Atlanta defenders getting towards him, but he's just cool, calm and collected. In January, where he won two league titles for that Polish side, brought down by Farsi. Cucho will go for goal and floats it wide. So if there's a change of play and it's quick, then you're going to see the Farsi and Yubo in particular going to be in so much space. One back by Cucho, this ball played, Russell Rowe with a shot fired and off the bar. Mzisi tried to play out from the back here and when he does, he's out of position. That means then that Gregerson has to come over that leaves Russell Rowe in a lot of space. The one thing you'd say here, his first touch, he doesn't get it out of his feet. So therefore the second touch, he's leaning back. So the ball's always going to rise. Swarovski in the starting role where Morena is usually employed. That's a good ball. Farsi works this across Cucho again. Oh, he got all of it on the volley. Fortunate for Atlanta deflected away. Closing seconds of the first half, Patrick Schulte and the crew on a day they received their championship rings. Celebrate a third MLS Cup championship in the history of this original franchise and they'll go to the locker room enjoying a one to nothing advantage between themselves as well. Second half begins now. Cucho, that for Aiden Morris, the field tilted in the opening. Gregerson got a foot to it. Iakoumakis for Almada. Will the second half be his? Iakoumakis fires. Terrific effort from the big Greek striker and he let it rip wide. Yeah, well Columbus aren't happy. They think originally that Iakoumakis comes back from an offside position. Farsi runs on to this move. Farsi tripped up in the 18. And Bonilla, there is no signal for a penalty. You see the ball as it's played here. Well, there's certainly no offside there from the pass as he's going through. It's the challenge from Gregerson. Like I say, Farsi starts in an onside position. Is the situation inside the box? It is. We know then that it is a penalty situation. And for me, like I say, I don't think there's any contact for Gregerson. And this is a scenario where Columbus should get a penalty. Cucho Hernandez, trying for the opening day brace. Big save by Guzan. The ball still alive in the 18. Muyamba with the release to get it. Brad Guzan keeps his side in the game. Just see from Cucho. If you remember last season, in the playoffs, Cucho Hernandez gave Guzan the eyes. He was magnificent against Almada. Does he now come more into the game? Lobjanice runs on to this. Plays it for Lennon. Brooks Lennon to the top of the box. Now Almada in Almada territory. Oh, needed to do better with that. Schulte with the save. Well, we nearly had the answer. It's so many different styles. And it's always fascinating to watch when contrasting styles come up against each other throughout the season. We'll see one tomorrow. You and I. John Herdman with Toronto. What a ball from Almada. Played into the box. Yakamaka. Save made by Schulte. Oh, I had a flashback to opening day last year for him as we watched Lennon float this ball in. Sleash, unable to find the handle on the ball taken away here by Cucho. Remember the opener last year, Almada late, tying and winning goals against San Jose. But here come the crew looking to put it away. Alex Matan takes it into the 18. Matan, top of the box. Artson will lay this off. Cucho goes wide. Mission accomplished. The crew with a 1-0 win.