Jacen Russell-Rowe scored two of the host Columbus Crew’s three first-half goals in a thorough 3-1 victory over flailing Atlanta United on Wednesday.

Rowe made the most of his first start since May 24 with goals in the 32nd and 42nd minutes after Andres Herrera staked the Crew (9-3-7, 34 points) to a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute.

Columbus has won two straight since a six-match winless streak (four ties) while Atlanta (4-10-5, 17 points) is headed in the opposite direction with three straight losses, all on the road, by a combined 9-1 score.

The Five Stripes are winless in nine road matches (0-7-2) this season and have two more away contests before returning home on July 16 the oppose the Chicago Fire.

A bright spot for Atlanta was Brooks Lennon’s goal in the 56th minute to make it 3-1, but the Crew stiffened to move to 6-1-4 at home.

The halftime score may not have been indicative enough of how dominant the Crew were. They had the advantage in shots, 14-3, and shots on target, 7-1.

Daniel Gazdag, the Philadelphia Union’s all-time leading goal-scorer who was acquired in April, continues to look for his first Crew score after 11 matches, but he was twice denied on excellent saves by Brad Guzan in the opening half and had another shot at an open net blocked by Lennon.

While he did earn his second Columbus assist on Russell-Rowe’s first goal, the Crew hope he breaks his goal drought against his former team on Sunday.

Fortunately for the Crew, they had other scorers and Herrera got on the board after a long lead pass by Dylan Chambost, who got his team-best seventh assist.

Russell-Rowe extended the lead when his low-angle shot beat Guzan at the right post. He followed from the left side to make it 3-0 with a shot through the legs of Guzan. He has seven goals.

Atlanta settled down after the break and Lennon poked in a loose ball after a corner. The score was initially disallowed but a review showed the ball crossed the line completely.

–Field Level Media