The mood was mixed on Saturday night following a 3-2 Columbus Crew loss at Orlando City SC.<\/p>\n
Yes, it was clear everyone was disappointed. The Black & Gold conceded seconds into the match, and then again in the final minute of regular time. But they also generated numerous attacking chances, only to be denied by Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Cr\u00e9preu\u2019s 12 saves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe certainly arrived a lot of times in front of Orlando’s goal,\u201d interim head coach Laurent Courtois said after the result. \u201cWe couldn’t convert the way we wanted. Cr\u00e9peau had a great game. What I told the guys is I was impressed with the performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt sucks because coming in that environment and producing what they’ve produced and getting out with zero points is really tough. I’m really proud of the way that they performed on and off the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the home side scoring quickly, Homegrown midfielder Taha Habroune quickly leveled the contest through seven minutes, when he coolly slotted the ball past Cr\u00e9preu. Habroune received the ball from Santiago Rodr\u00edguez, who cleverly played the assist through four Orlando defenders before Habroune scored his third MLS goal this season.<\/p>\n
Antoine Griezmann put Orlando back in front, but again, the Crew equalized the match for a second time in the 53rd minute via Brais M\u00e9ndez. The goal was his fourth in league action, and since he joined Columbus earlier this summer, M\u00e9ndez has seven goal contributions in his first eight games in the U.S.<\/p>\n
Habroune also provided an assist on the goal, which prompted Courtois to say it was the midfielder\u2019s best performance in a Black & Gold shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeside the goal and the assist, I felt that was maybe the best performance he\u2019s had,\u201d the interim head coach said. \u201cReally complete, really clear in terms of decision making and the volume of actions, also. It was his best game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the home side went ahead for a third and final time in the 89th minute through Iv\u00e1n Angulo.<\/p>\n
With Saturday night\u2019s setback, the Crew have just six matches remaining during the 2026 MLS regular season. There\u2019s little time to dwell on the result, though.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday night, the Black & Gold host Charlotte FC in a midweek matchup at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.\u00a0Kick it with the Crew.<\/a> Including that match, Columbus will play six games in 21 days.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have important games coming out pretty fast,\u201d Courtois said. \u201cWe recover, we make sure that we are aware of everything that we want to keep, and modify a couple of things, especially against different opponents. We’re confident that the group is in a good spot. In terms of performance, it’s in the continuity of what they’ve done the last few weeks, if not months. Yeah, we look forward for the next game, but first, let’s recover.\u201d<\/p>\n