MLS Columbus Crew SC

Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round Match Recap: Columbus Crew

Published on October 28, 2017 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


AUDI 2017 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS KNOCKOUT ROUND MATCH RECAP: COLUMBUS CREW SC 0 (3), ATLANTA UNITED FC 0 (1) [CREW SC ADVANCES ON PENALTY KICKS] Black & Gold advance 3-1 on penalty kicks, head to the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals against New York City FC; Zack Steffen makes eight stops, sets new career-best for saves

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2017 Contact: Tim Miller, 614-447-4176 or Carlos Mojica, 614-447-4203

Columbus Crew SC 0 (3) - Atlanta United FC 0 (1) - Crew SC advances on penalty kicks Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia) Thursday, October 26, 2017

SCORING SUMMARY

None

PENALTY KICKS SUMMARY

Julian Gressel (ATL): Saved

Federico Higuaín (CLB): Scored

Leandro González Pirez (ATL): Saved

Kekuta Manneh (CLB): Saved

Héctor Villalba (ATL): Scored

Niko Hansen (CLB): Scored

Jeff Larentowicz (ATL): Missed

Adam Jahn (CLB): Scored

NEXT MATCH FOR CREW SC (Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals):

Columbus Crew SC vs. New York City FC (MAPFRE Stadium - Columbus, Ohio)

Tuesday, October 31 (8:00 p.m. ET / ESPN, CD102.5 FM, La Mega 103.1 FM, English radio stream available on ColumbusCrewSC.com).

TODAY'S MATCH INFO:

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) Referee: Allen Chapman Assistants: Jeremy Hanson, Andrew Bigelow Fourth Official: Chris Penso VAR: Fotis Bazakos Attendance: 67,221 Weather: 66 degrees and clear

GOALS/ASSISTS None

PENALTY KICKS SUMMARY

Julian Gressel (ATL): Saved

Federico Higuaín (CLB): Scored

Leandro González Pirez (ATL): Saved

Kekuta Manneh (CLB): Saved

Héctor Villalba (ATL): Scored

Niko Hansen (CLB): Scored

Jeff Larentowicz (ATL): Missed

Adam Jahn (CLB): Scored

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY CLB - Hector Jimenez (caution) 64'

CLB - Artur (caution) 96'

LINEUPS

Columbus Crew SC: Zack Steffen; Harrison Afful (Adam Jahn 120'), Jonathan Mensah, Josh Williams, Hector Jimenez (Jukka Raitala 73'); Wil Trapp ©, Artur; Pedro Santos (Niko Hansen 105'), Federico Higuain, Justin Meram (Kekuta Manneh 59'); Ola Kamara

Substitutes not used: Brad Stuver; Mohammed Abu, Lalas Abubakar

Atlanta United FC: Brad Guzan; Anton Walkes (Tyrone Mears 105'), Jeff Larentowicz ©, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Chris McCann (Mikey Ambrose 109'); Carlos Carmona, Julian Gressel; Hector Villalba, Miguel Almiron, Yamil Asad (Michael Parkhurst 68'); Josef Martinez (Jacob Peterson 114')

Substitutes not used: Alex Tambakis; Kevin Kratz, Kenwyne Jones

TEAM NOTES With his start in tonight's match against Atlanta United FC, Zack Steffen is now the youngest Crew SC goalkeeper to play and start in an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Match. At 22 years, 206 days old, Steffen is younger than Brad Friedel, who previously held this honor by starting in an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs match against the Tampa Bay Mutiny, at the age of 25 years, 130 days old on September 25, 1996. Steffen is also the youngest Crew SC goalkeeper to register a shutout in an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs match, surpassing Jon Busch, who kept a clean sheet against the New England Revolution on October 6, 2002 when he was 26 years, 49 days old.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen is the youngest Crew SC goalkeeper to make one or more saves in an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs match. Steffen played the 120 minutes and registered 8 saves, a new career-high across all MLS competitions for the 22-year old goalkeeper. Additionally, Steffen saved two of Atlanta United FC's penalty kick attempts during tonight's penalty kick shootout. Steffen saved attempts by Julian Gressel and Leandro Gonzalex Pirez en route to helping the Black & Gold advance in penalty kicks, 3-1.

Federico Higuain, Niko Hansen and Adam Jahn all converted their penalty kick attempts for Crew SC in tonight's match against Atlanta United FC. Jahn's goal made the penalty kicks score 3-1, sending the Black & Gold through to the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals. Tonight's victory also marks the second time in club history that Crew SC has won an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs match via penalty kicks.

Tonight's win against Atlanta United FC brought Crew SC's undefeated streak to 11 consecutive matches (7-0-4) across all competitions, dating back to a 3-1 regular-season win over the Chicago Fire at MAPFRE Stadium on August 12. Over that span, Crew SC has outscored its opponents 19-10, registering four shutouts.

With the win in tonight's match, Crew SC clinched a spot in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals, which will be played over two legs against New York City FC. The winner on aggregate score will then move onto the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Championship. Up next, Crew SC hosts New York City FC at MAPFRE Stadium for the First Leg on Tuesday, October 31 (8:00 p.m. ET / ESPN, CD102.5 FM, La Mega 103.1 FM, English radio stream available on ColumbusCrewSC.com).

NOTE TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA COVERING COLUMBUS CREW SC When discussing the organization and the team, please reference the club as "Columbus Crew SC" on first reference as "Crew SC" is an appropriate secondary reference. Both references are singular subjects, while the tertiary reference "Black & Gold," with the ampersand, is plural. Please note: we no longer use "Col/umbus Crew" or "The Crew" in our terminology of the club and "The Crew SC" is also not applicable. Our home venue is now known as MAPFRE Stadium and MAPFRE must be in all caps. (MAPFRE Stadium is pronounced "MAH-fray Stadium"). The club's training facility is now known as the EAS Training Center at Obetz. If you have brand terminology or badge questions - or need the updated badge and wordmark for your archives - please reach out to a member of Crew SC Communications.

Website: ColumbusCrewSC.com | Twitter: @ColumbusCrewSC | Instagram: @ColumbusCrewSC | Hashtag: #CrewSC | Facebook.com/columbuscrewsc | Snapchat: ColumbusCrewSC | Google+: +columbuscrewsc | Stadium: MAPFRE Stadium | Training Facility: EAS Training Center at Obetz

ABOUT COLUMBUS CREW SC Columbus Crew SC (Soccer Club) is the first club in Major League Soccer and in 2015, Crew SC was crowned MLS Eastern Conference Champions in the organization's 20th season. Owned and operated by Precourt Sports Ventures (PSV), it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and also won the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as MLS Supporters' Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. The 2017 campaign is the Black & Gold's 19th season at historic MAPFRE Stadium -- the first soccer-specific stadium in the United States - where the club set single-season sellout records and hosted the 2015 MLS Cup. The club was purchased by PSV on July 29, 2013 as part of the privately held investment and management firm's sports and entertainment business enterprise.

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