Columbus Crew SC 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Dylan Butler

It was a dream debut for Mike Grella, who came off the bench and scored the late winner for Columbus Crew SC in a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday night.

Grella, who missed the first eight games of the season with a knee injury, snapped a four-match winless streak for Columbus (4-3-2) with his first Crew SC goal in the 84th minute. The former New York Red Bulls midfielder settled a Pedro Santos cross and slipped a shot inside the near post.

Harrison Afful opened the scoring for Crew SC with his fourth career goal in the 28th minute, blasting a shot under the crossbar from 12 yards out. Danny Hoesen leveled late in the first half for San Jose (1-4-2).

Goals

28’ — CLB — Harrison Afful | WATCH
45’ — SJ — Danny Hoesen | WATCH
84’ — CLB — Mike Grella | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: It’s been a long time coming, but Crew SC snapped a four-match winless streak and ensured they wouldn’t go 0-for-April. Meanwhile, it’s more of the same for San Jose, now six games without a win since a Week 1 victory over Minnesota United FC.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It was going to be Grella coming off the substitute’s bench for his first regular season appearance since June 3, 2017 as a member of the Red Bulls. But then the midfielder netted the dramatic winner, his first for Crew SC.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Grella provided the necessary spark in the attacking third, clinically finishing his first goal since scoring against Crew SC on Oct. 16, 2016. The 31-year-old was mobbed by teammates after the game.