In a dramatic Leagues Cup quarterfinal, Columbus Crew overcame an early setback to defeat New York City FC 4-3 in a penalty shootout, securing their place in the semifinals. The match began with a record-breaking goal by NYCFC's Alonso Martinez, who scored just 14 seconds after kickoff, the fastest goal ever conceded by the Crew.
The quick strike came after Crew defender Rudy Camacho turned the ball over near Columbus' box, allowing Martinez to capitalize and put NYCFC ahead 1-0. Despite the early shock, the Crew remained resilient, and Cucho Hernandez equalized in the 41st minute with a well-placed header from a Max Arfsten cross. The 1-1 scoreline held through the remainder of the match, setting the stage for a tense penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout began with both teams converting their first two attempts, but each missed the third. Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, returning from international duty, was beaten by James Sands on NYCFC's fourth attempt, but Hernandez failed to capitalize on his attempt for Columbus. The turning point came when NYCFC’s Santiago Rodriguez missed high on their final attempt, leaving DeJuan Jones with the opportunity to win it for the Crew.
Jones, who had joined the Crew just 18 days earlier, confidently stepped up and sent his shot past NYCFC's goalkeeper Matt Freese, who dove the wrong way, sealing the victory for Columbus. This win was a testament to head coach Wilfried Nancy's strategy of allowing players to decide their roles in the shootout, a method that previously worked in their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals match against Tigres.
Post-match, Jones explained his penalty technique, citing his usual stutter-step approach, which allowed him to adjust based on the goalkeeper's movement. Hernandez also redeemed himself with a successful "Panenka" penalty after missing in a similar situation against Tigres.
Patrick Schulte's return to the Crew was a rollercoaster, beginning with the concession of the fastest goal in the team’s history but ending with crucial saves in the penalty shootout. His connection with Jones, developed through their time with the U.S. Men's National Team, proved vital in securing the win.
With this victory, Columbus Crew will now face the Philadelphia Union in the semifinals at Lower.com Field, continuing their quest for the Leagues Cup title.
