- Columbus Crew rebounds from Miami loss with decisive home victory
- Arfsten’s technical 61st-minute goal proves decisive
- San Jose’s Martínez scores fifth goal in four matches
- Crew goaltender Schulte makes five critical saves
The Columbus Crew solidified their playoff position Saturday night with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the struggling San Jose Earthquakes. In front of a raucous Lower.com Field crowd, the match showcased rising stars and tactical adjustments that could shape both clubs’ seasons.
Sean Zawadzki opened scoring in the 29th minute with a perfectly timed slide to redirect Diego Rossi’s free kick. The defensive midfielder’s first goal of 2024 highlighted Columbus’ set-piece dominance – a growing trend across MLS this season. Through Week 10, 32% of all league goals have originated from dead-ball situations, up 7% from 2023 totals.
San Jose’s lone bright spot came via Josef Martínez’s 54th-minute chip shot, capitalizing on a rare defensive miscommunication between Crew center backs. The Venezuelan striker now accounts for 83% of the Earthquakes’ scoring since April 1. However, defensive lapses persist for the California side, having allowed multiple goals in eight consecutive matches.
Regional soccer analysts point to Ohio’s youth development programs as a key factor in Columbus’ success. Three of Saturday’s starters graduated from the Crew Academy, including Arfsten. His game-winning sequence – weaving through three defenders before roofing a left-footed strike – exemplifies the technical training emphasized in Midwest development leagues.
With this victory, Columbus maintains pressure on Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami. The Crew’s +9 goal differential ranks third in MLS, powered by their league-best 64% shot accuracy rate in the final third. As the summer transfer window approaches, expect contenders like Columbus to target depth at wingback positions given the increased physical demands of MLS’s 34-game schedule.