Columbus Crew SC 0, Los Angeles Football Club 3 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Los Angeles Football Club added two late goals to confidently seal a 3-0 win at Columbus Crew SC on Saturday night, though the Western Conference leaders were in control from start to finish.

Matters got underway in the 37th minute on Mark-Anthony Kaye’s cushioned finish, Adama Diomande added a second in the 88th on a costly Crew turnover and Carlos Vela added his league-leading 12th goal of the year in the 90th minute. 

Columbus saw a Gyasi Zardes goal called back in the 74th minute for offside, but otherwise strong chances were few and far between. The best surge came in the second half, as Federico Higuain was introduced and David Accam made his debut upon being acquired via traded from the Philadelphia Union earlier this week.

Kaye’s strike came via a deft touch past Joe Bendik, and Diomande’s arrived after Jonathan Mensah headed a back pass beyond his onrushing 'keeper. Josh Perez, subbed on in the second half, rattled the ball off the post, only for Diomande to clean up the mess. Lastly, Vela’s strike was a vintage left-footed curler from 25 yards out by the Mexican international.

US national team goalkeeper Zack Steffen didn’t play for Columbus due to what the broadcast called a sore foot.

Goals

• 37' – LAFC – Mark-Anthony Kaye | WATCH
• 88' – LAFC – Adama Diomande | WATCH
• 90' – LAFC – Carlos Vela | WATCH

Three Things 

THE BIG PICTURE: For the third time this season, LAFC has captured all three points from a road contest. In the process, Bob Bradley’s team further extends their lead atop the Western Conference standings, especially as the LA Galaxy have now dropped three matches in a row. Meanwhile, Columbus has now dropped their third game of the year at MAPFRE Stadium as the ups and downs continue during the Caleb Porter era. As for one word to describe it? Inconsistent.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: The Crew struggled to carve out gilt-edged chances all night, though nearly found a breakthrough in the 59th minute via
Pedro Santos
. The Portuguese winger’s half-volley was an absolute rocket, only for LAFC goalkeeper
Tyler Miller
to be in the right place at the right time. If that goes in, the game could have titled entirely.

MAN OF THE MATCH
: Mark-Anthony Kaye continues to be an integral part on LAFC’s midfield, and on Saturday he provided the game-winner with a cool-as-you-like finish. Some might call the Canadian’s effort a shot, and some might call it a pass. All that mattered was his third of the year, a career high in MLS, found the back of the net. Aside from the goal, Kaye worked tirelessly in a box-to-box role.

Next Up

• CLB: Saturday, May 18 at Minnesota United (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
• LAFC: Thursday, May 16 vs. FC Dallas (10 pm ET | ESPN2, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)