In a match that featured a Cucho Hernandez hat trick, the loudest cheers from the crowd went to Aidan Morris during the Crew's 4-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City at Lower.com Field on Saturday.
The Crew bid farewell to two-time MLS Cup champion Morris on Saturday before he officially signs a deal to play for England's Middlesbrough FC. The 22-year-old was met with roaring reception when he was replaced in the 60th minute by Sean Zawadzki, and Morris was honored by the team with a postgame ceremony.
On the field, Crew leading-scorer Hernandez recorded his third hat trick with the club. Forward Christian Ramirez scored the other goal for Columbus.
More:Crew midfielder Aidan Morris leaving Columbus for EFL Championship's Middlesbrough FC
Columbus held Kansas City to zero shots on goal, marking the first time the Crew have held a team to zero shots on goal since February 2022.
(85') Taha Habroune enters match for Columbus Crew
Crew homegrown talent Taha Habroune enters match for Columbus, replacing forward Christian Ramirez.
(73') Columbus Crew make round of substitutions following Cucho Hernandez goal
After taking a 4-0 lead over Sporting Kansas City, the Crew made multiple subtitutions:
- Forward Marino Hinestroza replaces Cucho Hernandez
- Midfielder Derrick Jones replaces Darlington Nagbe
- Forward Alex Matan replaces Diego Rossi
(71') Cucho Hernandez records hat trick vs Sporting Kansas City
Striker Cucho Hernandez has scored his third goal of the night for Columbus, with his hat trick coming off a free kick attempt outside Kansas City's box. The Crew lead 4-0.
(67') Christian Ramirez extends Columbus Crew lead vs Sporting Kansas City
Forward Christian Ramirez has given the Crew a 3-0 lead over Kansas City in the second half. Ramirez was making a run towards the goal with the ball, and after his first shot attempt was saved by goalkeeper John Pulskamp, Ramirez followed up with a shot on an empty goal, allowing him to score.
(60') Aidan Morris substituted out in farewell match
Midfielder Aidan Morris has played his final minutes of soccer for Columbus, being substituted out of the Kansas City match at the 60-minute mark. Sean Zawadzki replaced Morris for Columbus.
(46') Sporting Kansas City makes halftime substitutions
Sporting Kansas City made three substitutions during halftime:
- Forward Alenis Vargas replaces Stephen Afrifa
- Forward Johnny Russel replaces Willy Agada
- Defender Andrew Fontas replaces Robert Castellanos
(45') Columbus Crew hold 2-0 lead over Sporting Kansas City at halftime
In the first half, the Crew took eight shot attempts, four on goal. Kansas City took two shots, none on goal. Columbus also controlled possession during the first 45-plus minutes with 64.9% possession.
(45+2') Cucho Hernandez scores second goal off Aidan Morris assist
For the second time in the first half, striker Cucho Henandez scored a goal for Columbus, putting his team ahead 2-0 against Kansas City. The goal was assisted by Aidan Morris.
Morris was near the top of Kansas City's box when he sent a cross pass to Hernandez in the box. Hernandez quickly took his shot attempt once receiving the ball.
(32') Cucho Hernandez scores, Columbus Crew take 1-0 lead vs Sporting Kansas City
Crew striker Cucho Hernandez get Columbus on the board in the first half scoring in front of Kansas City's goal.
Midfielder Max Arfsten assisted on the goal, with a pass to Hernandez who was in the center of Kansas City's box. Once in control of the ball, Hernandez made a move to get passed a Kansas City defender to set up his shot and sent the ball to the left of goalkeeper John Pulskamp.
(30') Sporting Kansas City makes first substitution vs Columbus Crew
Sporting Kansas City has replaced midfielder Kayden Pierre with Khiry Shelton with the first substitution of the match. Pierre went down with an injury rear Columbus' box.
(8') Columbus Crew fans honor Aidan Morris
At the start of the eighth minute, the crowd at Lower.com Field honored midfielder Aidan Morris during his last match with Columbus by singing a chant fans have used for Morris throughout his Crew career. The idea was initially organized via social media and was chosen to do at the eight-minute mark to coincide with his jersey number, No. 8.
Gene Smith in attendance for Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City
Recently retired Ohio State University athletic director Gene Smith was the Crew's "match ignitor" on Saturday night before Columbus' match against Sporting Kansas City. The "match ignitor" is involved in a pregame tradition for the Crew used the get the crowd excited for the upcoming match.
What is the temperature at Lower.com Field?
The temperature 15 minutes before kickoff at Lower.com Field is 94 degrees but feels like 97.
Is the Crew honoring Aidan Morris?
Columbus' match against Sporting Kansas City will serve as a farewell for midfielder Aidan Morris, with the club expected to hold a postgame ceremony for the 22-year-old.
Fans via social media have also organized their own way to honor Morris and are planning to sing a chant the fan base has created for Morris in the eighth minute of the match, which coincides with his No. 8 jersey number.
Read more about the Crew's plans to honor Morris here.
Sporting Kansas City starting lineup vs Columbus Crew
Here is the starting 11 for Kansas City vs Columbus:
- GK: John Pulskamp
- DF: Robert Castellanos
- DF: Dany Rosero
- DF: Robert Voloder
- MF: Zorhan Bassong
- MF: Kayden Pierre
- MF: Nemanja Radoja
- MF: Memo Rodriguez
- FW: Stephen Afrifa
- FW: Willy Agada
- FW: Erik Tommy
Columbus Crew starting lineup vs Sporting Kansas City
Here is the starting 11 for Columbus vs Kansas City:
- GK: Patrick Schulte
- DF: Rudy Camacho
- DF: Yevhen Cheberko
- DF: Steven Moreira
- MF: Max Arfsten
- MF: Mo Farsi
- MF: Aidan Morris
- MF: Darlington Nagbe
- FW: Cucho Hernandez
- FW: Christian Ramirez
- FW: Diego Rossi
Sporting Kansas City availability report vs Columbus Crew
Here is the Kansas City's official availability report:
- Danny Flores (head): Out
- Felipe Hernandez (undisclosed): Out
- Tim Leibold (quad): Questionable
- Logan Ndenbe (knee): Out
- Alan Pulido (knee): Questionable
- Daniel Salloi (ankle)
- Remi Walter (knee)
Columbus Crew availability report vs Kansas City
Here is the Crew's official availability report:
- Evan Bush (arm): Out
- Jacen Russell-Rowe (international duty): Out
Who are the referees for Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City?
Here are the officials for the Crew vs Kansas on Saturday night:
- Referee: Marcos DeOliveira
- Assistant Referee 1: Ian McKay
- Assistant Referee 2: Chantal Boudreau
- Fourth Official: Nabil Bensalah
- VAR: Kevin Scott
- Assistant VAR: Joshua Patlak
Columbus Crew overall record vs Sporting Kansas City
The Crew are 23-26-9 overall against Sporting Kansas City. This is Columbus' first match against Kansas City since 2019.
How to listen to Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City radio broadcast
The Crew vs. Sporting Kansas City English-speaking radio broadcast will be on Alt 105.7 FM and available via the iHeartRadio app. Columbus' regular radio broadcaster Chris Doran will be on the call.
The Spanish radio broadcast can be found on La Grande 102.5 FM and the La Grande radio app with Juan Valladares doing play-by-play.
Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City streaming information
The Crew-Kansas City matchwill be available on Apple TVvia an MLS Season Pass subscription. Here are the broadcast teams for tonight:
- English broadcast: Neil Sika (play-by-play), Lloyd Sam (analyst)
- Spanish broadcast: Raul Guzman (play-by-play), Carlos Ruiz (analyst)
When is the Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City match?
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 22 at Lower.com Field.
bmackay@dispatch.com
