The game in 100 words (or less): The post-Kei Kamara era is underway in Columbus after Crew SC traded their scorer of 22 goals and arguer of penalty kick-taking duties this week. Without last year’s talisman, it was mostly more of the same from a disappointing Crew SC side that lacked the kind of pace and vigor that typified their run to MLS Cup 2015. The Colorado Rapids, meanwhile, came into Saturday night’s trip to MAPFRE Stadium having already played this week, thus more than happy to settle for an away point and extend their unbeaten run to seven games (six since the debut of Jermaine Jones). As such, the Rapids will finish the weekend right where they started — top of the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield race.
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Three Two moments that mattered
23' — Mabwati blasts off to make it 1-0 — Harrison Afful did unbelievably well (especially for a full back) to remain composed, cut back to the inside and pick out the streaking Mabwati. The finish was no piece of cake, either.
Cut 'em up & finish. @thekingharrison ➡️ @11CedrickM. #CLBvCOL https://t.co/c1OOmcTSDZ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2016
55' — Doyle heads home from Gashi’s corner kick — Crew SC have been the worst set-piece-defending side in MLS for going on three seasons now. They remain unfazed by their dubious designation.
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Man of the match: Shkelzen Gashi
Goalscorers: Mabwati (23'), Doyle (55')
The game in 100 words (or less): The New England Revolution’s Kamara era got underway Saturday night as well, and it’s all positives on first return with the Revs knocking off the bottom-of-the-league Chicago Fire (7 points from nine games), 2-0 at Gillette Stadium. Kamara went straight into Jay Heaps’ starting lineup and was his typically active self on the night (six shots, four on target), though he failed to find the back of the net. Lee Nguyen and Femi Hollinger-Janzen took care of that, though, as the Revs broke their six-game winless skid with relative ease. The victory boosts the Revs (13 points from 12 games) up to sixth in the Eastern Conference, two points clear of Orlando City SC (who have three games in hand at this point. The Fire, meanwhile, remain rooted to 10th in the East and 20th in the Supporters’ Shield race.
[ MORE: Previewing the weekend in MLS ]
Three moments that mattered
22' — Nguyen curls home to cap a set-piece routine — Note to opposition defenders: always know where Nguyen is. Or else…
Everything about this @LeeNguyen24 goal is beautiful. #NEvCHI https://t.co/4d2Eme0KhR
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2016
52' — Kamara’s header headed off (over?) the line — It’s impossible to tell from this angle, but Brandon Vincent looks to be inside the goal when he heads this ball back out, right?
Aaahhhhhhh!! OOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooo https://t.co/NTa9KIsWoz
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 15, 2016
84' — Hollinger-Janzen heads home for 2-0 — Juan Agudelo chipped it to the back post, where Femi was waiting to apply the easy finish.
Go on, rookie. @bouncingfemi bags his first MLS goal in style. #NEvCHI https://t.co/9DgcEULvmF
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2016
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Man of the match: Lee Nguyen
Goalscorers: Nguyen (22'), Hollinger-Janzen (84')