COLUMBUS — The Columbus Crew have spent much of this season struggling to turn promising performances into victories. Wednesday night against Charlotte FC, they made certain that wouldn't happen again.
Columbus unleashed a club-record 33 shots, including 14 on target, in a 3-1 victory at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The Crew fell behind early but overwhelmed Charlotte with sustained pressure, scoring three unanswered goals to earn their third victory in four matches.
It was the kind of attacking performance Columbus has been searching for, particularly from a team that has frequently created opportunities without getting the results to match.
The evening didn't begin especially well. In the 17th minute, Charlotte's Idan Toklomati capitalized on a defensive mistake, stealing possession from Steven Moreira and beating goalkeeper Patrick Schulte to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
Rather than allowing the early setback to dictate the match, Columbus responded by taking control.
Brais Méndez equalized in the 28th minute after Columbus forced a turnover deep in Charlotte's territory. Josef Martínez helped create the opportunity, finding Santiago Rodríguez, who set up Méndez for a first-time shot from outside the penalty area.
It was Méndez's fifth league goal since joining Columbus this summer, continuing an impressive stretch in which he has contributed five goals and three assists in his first 12 MLS appearances.
By halftime, Columbus had attempted an astonishing 22 shots, putting nine on target. Both numbers reflected the Crew's dominance, with the shot total establishing another club record for a single half.
Only Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina kept the match tied at 1-1, making eight saves before the break. His performance was particularly impressive considering Columbus generated numerous quality chances, including a Dylan Chambost shot that struck the post.
That level of pressure eventually proved too much.
In the 63rd minute, Mohamed Farsi delivered a cross into the penalty area that Anass Zaroury struck on the half-volley. The ball bounced high off the turf, sailed over Kahlina, struck the underside of the crossbar, and dropped into the net.
It was Zaroury's first MLS goal in just his fourth appearance with Columbus, giving the Crew a 2-1 lead and providing another encouraging sign from one of the club's recent additions.
Two minutes later, Taha Habroune effectively put the match away. The young midfielder dispossessed Charlotte captain Ashley Westwood near the top of the penalty area and quickly fired a shot past Kahlina to extend the lead to 3-1.
Habroune's goal was particularly encouraging considering his recent form. Just days earlier, he scored and assisted against Orlando City, earning praise from interim head coach Laurent Courtois for what the coach described as his most complete performance in a Crew uniform.
The young midfielder has now scored in consecutive matches for the first time in his MLS career, giving Columbus another productive option in the attacking third.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Wednesday's victory was the variety of ways Columbus created its opportunities.
Méndez provided a quality finish after defensive pressure forced a turnover, Zaroury benefited from service on the wing, and Habroune turned an individual defensive effort into an immediate scoring chance. The Crew weren't dependent on one player or one particular approach to break down Charlotte.
There is still plenty of work to be done. Columbus improved to 9-15-5 with 32 points but remains outside the playoff positions despite winning three of its last four matches.
Still, the recent results suggest that the Crew may finally be developing some consistency. Their performance against Charlotte was particularly impressive considering the visitors entered the match having lost just twice in their previous 15 games.
Next comes a familiar rival, and perhaps an even greater opportunity to build momentum.
Columbus travels to Cincinnati on Sunday for the latest installment of the Hell is Real derby. The Orange and Blue are coming off a 3-2 loss to New England in which their defensive problems were once again exposed.
For a Crew team that just produced 33 shots in 90 minutes, that matchup presents an intriguing opportunity. Wednesday's performance demonstrated what Columbus can accomplish when its attacking talent begins turning opportunities into goals.
Now the Crew need to prove they can sustain that production against their biggest rival.
