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'It's a big loss': Columbus Crew fall to Caleb Porter, New England Revolution
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- 'It's a big loss': Columbus Crew fall to Caleb Porter, New England Revolution
Three of the Crew's six regular-season losses this year came in their past five games, with a 2-1 defeat against the New England Revolution on Aug. 23 further pushing Columbus in the wrong direction as the postseason nears.
Replay: Columbus Crew defeated by former coach Caleb Porter, New England Revolution
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Unlike their loss to Orlando City SC or recent draw against Toronto FC , the Crew went into halftime already down 2-0, giving New England full control of the game.
"We opened up this," Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said. "The fact that we chased the game, the other team, what they're going to do, they're going to sit. ... As soon as they have the ball, they're going to play the ball forward, but we have to score to come back."
New England forward Leo Campana scored the first goal in the 25th minute with an uncontested shot, and midfielder Ignatius Ganago followed up 12 minutes later by scoring off a long, counterattack pass from defender Mamadou Fofana.
Crew defender Andres Herrera reacts during a loss to New England on Aug. 23.
The Crew took 15 shots in the second half while trying to build a comeback, but only midfielder Daniel Gazdag's shot in the 71st minute landed.
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This marked the Revolution's first victory over Columbus since former Crew coach Caleb Porter was hired ahead of the 2024 season. In the three prior meetings against Porter, the Crew outscored New England 10-1.
Columbus Crew midfielder Daniel Gazdag (8), forward Jacen Russell-Rowe (19) and Wessam Abou Ali (9) chat after losing to New England Revolution at Lower.com Field on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Columbus Crew 's struggle to stop goals in transition
On both first-half goals, the Crew's defense was a second behind New England.
Campana broke in front of midfielder Andres Herrera to receive a pass during a play that started with a New England throw-in just a few feet above Columbus' box.
Ganago beat out defenders Malte Amundsen and Sean Zawadzki to collect the upfield pass.
Crew forward Wessam Abou Ali reacts during a loss to New England on Aug. 23.
"They did the throw-in, and after that, they attacked the box easily," Nancy said. "The second goal, this is a ball in behind. We are in between. ... One millisecond of hesitation, we are dead. This is what happened. They scored the two goals from nowhere, but it's been the fact that for a few games already."
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Ganago's goal was an example of the counterattacks Columbus has struggled to stop. In four of the Crew's losses this season, at least one goal they conceded was scored on a counterattack.
"They know that we're going to have a ball a lot," Zawadzki said. "They know we're going to create chances. It's when we put numbers forward and we go for it and try and create these goal-scoring chances, and these goals, and they're able to hopeful clearance and it's going to turn into something for them."
Crew forward Diego Rossi, right, fights for the ball against Revolution defender Tanner Beason on Aug. 23.
Columbus Crew continue to struggle finishing on goal-scoring opportunities
Another recurring struggle this season for the Crew is their missed chances, and it was glaring against the Revolution.
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The Crew took 23 shots, with only six being on target and one resulting in a goal. Several misses went inches to the left or right of New England's goalpost.
"We were close to scoring more goals," Gazdag said. "We were trying from close, from far, but we just couldn't score more goals, and it's a big loss for us. I think we should've definitely won this game and taken the three points."
Columbus Crew striker Wessam Abou Ali makes team debut
In the 56th minute, Nancy made the first lineup change of the game, swapping forward Ibrahim Aliyu for the Crew's newest striker, Wessam Abou Ali, who made his debut for the team.
Crew forward Wessam Abou Ali has scored a goal in each of Columbus' last three games.
Nancy felt Abou Ali could boost the Crew's attack, which at that point had failed to result in a goal.
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"(I wanted him to) bring his energy, try to score goals and try to attack the box," Nancy said. "He wants to do well, but he's going to have time, also, to adjust himself."
Abou Ali finished his first game without a shot.
The Crew head back on the road to face the New York Red Bulls on Aug. 30 in their first meeting since New York knocked Columbus out of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew defeated by Caleb Porter, New England Revolution
