The Columbus Crew may have needed extra time to seal its berth into the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, but ultimately got the job done on the road at Exploria Stadium.
Christian Ramirez and Cucho Hernandez both scored in extra time as the Crew defeated 10-men Orlando City 2-0 on Saturday night. The Crew will either visit FC Cincinnati or host the Philadelphia Union in the East Finals on December 2.
Alexandru Matan had the first true crack towards goal in the 17th minute, but the winger was denied by Pedro Gallese. Gallese also stood firm to deny both Diego Rossi and Aidan Morris in the first half, keeping the Lions level at 0-0.
The Crew’s added offensive pressure eventually led to a major turning point in the 77th minute. Rossi was hacked down by Rodrigo Schlegel, who received a second yellow card and was sent off before the end of regulation.
The Crew would take advantage of the extra man in the early stages of extra time.
Morris forced an error in the back before crossing from the right wing into the center of the box. Christian Ramirez’s close range finish in the 93rd minute broke the deadlock from Exploria Stadium and boosted Wilfried Nancy’s squad in front 1-0.
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Patrick Schulte came up clutch in the 100th minute for the Crew, denying Kyle Smith’s low drive to keep the score 1-0 in the visitors’ favor.
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With Orlando City pressing for a tying goal, Hernandez sealed the Crew’s advancement from just inside the Lions’ side of the field. Gallese was off his goal-line and Hernandez deked the Peruvian goalkeeper before drilling a long-range shot into the empty net.
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The Crew would hang on to seal their first East Finals berth since 2020 with Schulte registering a three-save clean sheet.
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