Ghana international Jonathan Mensah found the back of the net but could not help Columbus Crew from losing 3-2 defeat against Atlanta United in a Major League Soccer match on Saturday.
It was the visiting side who started the game well as Ezequiel Barco put them ahead in the fifth minute and then added the second from the penalty spot in the 35th minute, before the Ghana defender reduced the deficit in the 37th minute.
However, Marcelino Moreno added the third goal for Atlanta from another penalty in the 65th minute before Pedro Santos pulled a late goal back for Columbus on the stroke of full-time at Lower.Com Field.
THAT'S OUR CAPTAIN!!!!!!!#Crew96 | @lowerdotcom pic.twitter.com/y2c3rf7Fyl
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) August 8, 2021
Atlanta, who won their first league match away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in over 10 months, took the lead when Barco combined well with George Bello, with the latter setting up Barco to slam it past keeper Eloy Room.
They were 2-0 up after Moreno was brought down by Marlon Hairston inside the danger zone and the referee Allen Chapman pointed to the penalty spot, and up stepped Barco, who sent Room the wrong way for his second of the night.
Columbus pulled a goal back when Mensah, who is also the captain of the side, jumped the highest to meet a corner from Lucas Zelarayan and powered it home with a ferocious header past Brad Guzan to make it a 2-1.
The home team thought they had levelled matters in the 48th minute when Luis Diaz found the back of the net from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside after checks by VAR.
MORE SET-PIECE 🎯🎯🎯 FROM @Jomens25! pic.twitter.com/NtfXzyvQ0Y
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) August 8, 2021
Moreno was then fouled inside the Columbus penalty area, and he took the initiative to convert the penalty and make it 3-1. Columbus then had another goal disallowed by VAR after Mensah delivered a header which was calmly slotted home by Derrick Etienne Jr.
Their pressure then paid off in stoppage time when Mensah was fouled for a penalty and Santos made it 3-2 from the resultant kick.
The Black & Gold will return to action against Chicago Fire FC from Soldier Field from August 15 while Atlanta will come up against Los Angeles Football Club also on August 15.
In another match, Libya international Ismael Tajouri-Shradi was on target as New York City FC settled for a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC.
Despite playing away from home, New York took the lead in the 12th-minute when Santiago Rodríguez scored and they were 2-0 up in the 21st minute after a counter-attacking move allowed Tajouri-Shradi to find the back of the net.
However, they collapsed in the second half allowing Toronto to hit back courtesy of goals from Richie Laryea and Alejandro Pozuelo in the 49th and 55th minutes respectively.