It was far from the high-scoring performances that the Crew put on during their five-game winning streak.
A 1-1 tie against Charlotte FC ended Columbus' run on Wednesday. The result was an improvement from Columbus' first matchup with Charlotte earlier this season, which was a 2-0 victory for Charlotte, but is the Crew's first draw since April 27 and first non-victory since June 19.
Striker Cucho Hernandez put the Crew ahead 1-0 in the 31st minute, a lead Columbus held onto through the first half and most of the second half, which was delayed due to weather.
Nicholas Hagen made his first start in goal for Columbus and was less than 15 minutes away from finishing with a clean sheet before he gave up a goal to forward Patrick Agyemang to even the score 1-1.
Despite totaling 22 shots, Columbus was unable to capitalize.
(90+4) Charlotte FC Nathan Byrne given yellow card
The second yellow card for Charlotte FC was given to defender Nathan Byrne for a delay in game violation in stoppage time.
(90+2) Jacen Russell-Rowe enters match for first time since Copa America
Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe missed nearly a month of action with the Crew during his time with the Canadian national team for Copa America, but he makes his return against Charlotte FC.
(89') Charlotte FC Nikola Petkovic handed yellow card
Midfielder Nikola Petkovic's yellow card on a foul against midfielder Darlington Nagbe was Charlotte's first of the game, and the second overall.
(84') Charlotte FC evens score 1-1 vs Columbus Crew, forward Patrick Agyemang scores
On a break away with just himself and Crew defender Rudy Camcho, Patrick Agyemang beat goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen and attempted a shot near Columbus' box that was blocked by Camacho. Agyemang recovered the ball and had a second chance opportunity that he sent past Hagen, who'd just returned to goal.
Charlotte is now tied with Columbus 1-1.
(79') Columbus Crew make their first substitutions vs Charlotte FC
Wilfried Nancy made two changes over halfway through the second half:
- Forward Alex Matan for Christian Ramirez
- Midfielder Yaw Yeboah for Max Arfsten
(74') Charlotte FC makes substitution following injury to Andrew Privett
Midfielder Andrew Privett was down on the field for multiple minutes following a hit that looked to have caused a lower body injury. The Charlotte medical staff evaluated Privett before he was able to walk off the field on his own. Bill Tuiloma replaced Privett.
(69') Charlotte FC makes three substitutions
Charlotte makes the first substitutions of the match:
- Forward Iuri Tavares for Kerwin Vargas
- Midfielder Nikola Petkovic for Djibril Diani
- Defender Joan Pedro for Jere Uronen
(57') Crew midfielder Sean Zawadzki receives yellow card
Sean Zawadzki is the first player of the match to receive a yellow card in the match against Charlotte with a foul on forward Liel Abada.
(47') Nicholas Hagen records first save vs Charlotte FC
In his first start with Columbus at goalkeeper, Nicholas Hagen records his first save of the match in the second half off a shot from Charlotte forwardLiel Abada.
(45') Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC second half kickoff set
After a weather delay, Crew vs Charlotte will kickoff at 9:17 p.m.
(45') Weather causes delay for second half Crew vs Charlotte FC
Over halfway through halftime, the public address announcer asked fans in the crowd to move to the nearest concourse for safety, and then shortly after, rain started to come down.
There is no official timeline for the delay.
(45') Columbus Crew take 1-0 lead vs Charlotte FC into halftime
Striker Cucho Hernandez has the only goal of the match after 45 minutes of play, plus stoppage time, giving Columbus a 1-0 lead.
In the half, Columbus took nine shots, four on goal while Charlotte took one shot, none on goal. The Crew controlled the ball a majority of the half with a 74.9% possession rate.
(31') Cucho Hernandez puts Columbus Crew ahead 1-0 vs Charlotte FC
Off a Charlotte turnover, Crew striker Cucho Hernandez was able to score, giving the Crew a 1-0 lead.
Charlotte forward Patrick Agyemang misplayed the ball near the top of its own box, allowing Hernandez to grab the ball and quickly capitalize. Taking a few dribbles, Hernandez launched a shot from the top of the box past Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
(24') VAR Review determines no penalty against Charlotte FC, canceling penalty kick for Columbus Crew
After an official review, the referee Victor Rivas found there was no handball in the box against Charlotte FC, meaning no penalty kick attempt for the Crew. Charlotte was given possession of the ball.
(21') Handball violation against Charlotte FC defender Adilson Malanda leads to Columbus Crew penalty kick
Crew striker Cucho Hernandez was about to set up for the kick, but the play is under VAR review.
(17') Columbus Crew take first corner kick vs Charlotte FC
The Crew were the first to take a corner kick in their match against Charlotte after a shot from forward Diego Rossi ricocheted off of Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina's chest and out past the goal line.
Rossi took the corner kick, that ended up being too powerful and would land with Cucho Hernandez, who's header shot went over the goal.
Charlotte FC starting lineup vs Columbus Crew
Here is the starting 11 for Charlotte vs Columbus:
- GK: Kristijan Kahlina
- DF: Nathan Byrne
- DF: Adilson Malanda
- DF: Jere Uronen
- MF: Brandt Bronico
- MF: Djibril Diani
- MF: Andrew Privett
- MF: Ashley Westwood
- FW: Liel Abada
- FW: Patrick Agyemang
- FW: Kerwin Vargas
Columbus Crew starting lineup vs Charlotte FC
Here is the starting 11 for Columbus vs Charlotte:
- GK: Nicholas Hagen
- DF: Malte Amundsen
- DF: Rudy Camacho
- DF: Steven Moriera
- MF: Max Arfsten
- MF: Mo Farsi
- MF: Darlington Nagbe
- MF: Sean Zawadzki
- FW: Cucho Hernandez
- FW: Christian Ramirez
- FW: Diego Rossi
Who are the referees for Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC?
Here are the officials for the Crew vs Charlotte FC on Wednesday night:
- Referee: Victor Rivas
- Assistant Referee 1: Walt Heatherly
- Assistant Referee 2: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho
- Fourth Official: Calin Radosav
- VAR: Kevin Stott
- Assistant VAR: Ian McKay
How to listen to Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC radio broadcast
The Crew vs. Charlotte FC English-speaking radio broadcast will be on Alt 105.7 FM and available via the iHeartRadio app. Columbus' regular radio broadcaster Chris Doran will be on the call.
The Spanish radio broadcast can be found on La Grande 102.5 FM and the La Grande radio app with Juan Valladares doing play-by-play.
Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC streaming information
The Crew-Charlotte matchwill be available on Apple TVwith an MLS Season Pass subscription. Here are the broadcast teams for tonight:
- English broadcast: Tyler Terens (play-by-play), Kyndra St. de Aubin (analyst)
- Spanish broadcast: Oscar Salazar (play-by-play), Jaime Macias (analyst)
When is the Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC match?
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 17 at Lower.com Field
bmackay@dispatch.com
