The Columbus Crew advanced to the Leagues Cup semifinals, 4-3 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw with New York City FC in the quarterfinals on Saturday at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
Alonso Martínez started the scoring 14 seconds after the opening whistle. The Costa Rican forward stripped Columbus defender Rudy Camacho of the ball in midfield before making a drive into the box to place the white sphere in the bottom right corner.
Martínez’s goal set a new record for the fastest goal in Leagues Cup history and the earliest by a New York City FC player in the club’s history.
Cucho Hernández struck unmarked inside the penalty area in the 5th minute, as Columbus fans got up from their seats only to be shocked there was no goal, as the left-footed hit was just wide of the right post.
Maxi Moralez connected with a through ball in the 8th but his attempt on goal was diverted by Columbus defender Mohamed Farsi.
NYCFC was just inches from extending its lead in the 21st minute as Hannes Wolf sent a ball across the penalty area but Alonso Martínez just missed making a connection as he slid in front of goal.
Christian Ramírez struck by the left post on the other end in the 24th minute but his attempt went up in the stands as the Columbus man struggled to get a more crisp shot with NYC defender Strahinja Tanasijević on his back.
Christian McFarlane sent a cross into the box in the 25th minute but Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte punched away the danger.
Hernández struck with his right from outside the box in the 39th to force a two-handed swat from Matt Freese as the home side was inching closer to scoring.
The tying goal finally arrived in the 42nd minute as Cucho Hernández struck a header into the right netting to connect with a service by Max Arfsten.
Freese made a pivotal block in the 53rd minute as Arfsten had an attempt in the box on the other side of halftime.
Diego Rossi struck from outside the box in the 60th minute but Freese was there for the save.
Rossi had one of the last looks on goal in the second half, four minutes into stoppage time, but the two sides remained even at one as the match headed to penalty kicks.
“For me, this is a mental exercise,” said Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy about penalty kicks. “For me, the player there to decide who wants to take the PK, and I am with them and I want to give a good energy because, again, this is a really difficult mental exercise.”
After both sides started with two conversions, Schulte denied Maxi Moralez in the third round of the spot kicks. Freese responded with a save on Diego Rossi.
Cucho Hernández struck an impeccable panenka to shift the momentum back to the home team in the fourth round of kicks. Santiago Rodríguez missed his attempt in the fifth round, hitting the ball into the stands, as DeJuan Jones scored on the final kick to win the shootout.
The Crew advance to the semifinals on Wednesday as the club continues its best run in the tournament. NYCFC exits in the quarterfinals to conclude its best ever campaign.
“It's down to us,” said New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing. “The one thing I won't have questioned is the heart, and the fight, and the commitment, and the belief that this team can come to a really difficult place and get a result. And, I thought the game was completely even, and it was anybody's to win.”
Cucho Hernández struck an impeccable panenka to shift the momentum back to the home team in the fourth round of kicks. Santiago Rodríguez missed his attempt in the fifth round, hitting the ball into the stands, as DeJuan Jones scored on the final kick to win the shootout.
