Columbus Crew SC 2, Orlando City SC 0 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

Columbus Crew SC continued their climb up the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a composed 2-0 defeat of Orlando City SC at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, paced by a brace from Justin Meram. 

The Iraq international beat Orlando's offside trap to bag the opener on a quick counterattack, then finished off another slick break with a calmly-taken cutback and finish to ice the result in the second half. Meram has now scored three goals and two assists in Crew SC's first five games. 

• Crew SC marvel at "confident" Justin Meram's hot run of form: "He's flying"

Goals

• 13' – CLB – Justin Meram Watch
• 77' – CLB – Meram Watch

Three Things

JUSTIN'S TIME
: Meram might just be the hottest attacker in MLS right now. The Michigan native is covering lots of ground, combining well with teammates and showing ice-cold finishing composure around goal. Oh, and he came up with a pretty tasty scoring celebration with
Ola Kamara
on Saturday...

ORLANDO UNDEFEATED NO MORE: This was the Lions' first setback of the season, and it will give coach Jason Kreis ample food for thought. City had plenty of possession and a few decent chances, but many moves peter out in the attacking third, with just 4 of their 14 shots directed on target. At the other end, they lived and died by their high defensive line, which caught Kamara offside a few times but was outwitted by Meram.

OHIO A&T
: After going winless in their first two games, Crew SC have surged into pole position in the East, and the blossoming
Artur

Wil Trapp
 partnership at the base of their midfield is a major factor. The duo were smart, composed and clean on the ball against Orlando, with Artur – an offseason acquisition from Brazil who's adapting to MLS very quickly – notching the game-winning assist.

Next Up

• CLB: Saturday, April 8 – at Chicago (2 pm ET | MLS LIVE)
• ORL: Sunday, April 9 – vs. New York Red Bulls (4 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US, MLS LIVE in Canada)