Lucas Zelarayan’s two goals led the Columbus Crew to a 2-0 victory in their home opener against D.C. United on Saturday.
He scored in the 10th and 44th minutes as the Crew (1-1-0, 3 points) rebounded from a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia.
Tyler Miller made one save for D.C. (1-1-0, 3 points).
Zelarayan opened the scoring from the top of the box thanks to a Cucho Hernandez pass. Hernandez dribbled down the left flank then cut back and found Zelarayan, who spun away from Russell Canouse to score his first goal of the season. He had 10 last season.
It was Zelarayan’s strike from 10 yards that doubled the advantage. He ran onto a through ball from Alex Matan that went to his favored right foot and Zelarayan powdered a shot past Miller.
Two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Miller made a reflex save of a powerful 10-yard header by Hernandez.
The Crew are 4-0-3 in their past seven home openers.
D.C. midfielder Pedro Santos received a warm welcome in his first game back to Columbus since his free-agent signing in the offseason. He scored 23 goals and had 24 assists in six seasons with the Crew, including winning the MLS Cup in 2020.
Crew goalkeeper Eloy Room, who started every match last season, returned from a one-game absence while trying to secure his green card.
He made a fingertip save of a Nigel Robertha header in the 24th minute to maintain the early lead. That was his only save.
D.C. was looking to replicate its rally in last week’s opener, when Toronto FC went up 2-1 in the 83rd minute before D.C. tied it in the 90th and scored the winner in the 98th.
But it wasn’t to be and D.C.’s road woes continued from last season, when it was 3-12-2 and outscored 37-14 in away matches.
Next Saturday, the Crew play at Toronto FC while D.C. hosts Orlando City.
–Field Level Media
