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Aug 26, 2023

Anatomy of a Goal: Diego Rossi opens his Crew account

Welcome to the Anatomy of a Goal, where each week we dissect one goal (or near goal) from a previous Columbus Crew match. For Match 25 of the 2023 MLS season, we take a look at Diego Rossi’s 21st

Welcome to the Anatomy of a Goal, where each week we dissect one goal (or near goal) from a previous Columbus Crew match. For Match 25 of the 2023 MLS season, we take a look at Diego Rossi’s 21st minute goal, his first for the Crew, that set in motion a 2-0 win against Trillium Cup rivals Toronto FC on Saturday.

Here is a look at the goal from Columbus’ new No. 10.

FIRST START. FIRST GOAL. Sí, Señor ☝️ pic.twitter.com/zQfeaRBRCF

Saturday’s starting lineup gave fans a look at what might be head coach Wilfried Nancy’s full-strength Black & Gold team for the rest of this season and likely set the foundation for next year’s side. Rossi, fresh off about 30 minutes in last week’s drubbing of FC Cincinnati, slotted into the starting lineup for the first time across the front line.

Toronto, expected to be one of the most exciting teams in the league following the signings of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, has been anything but exciting. TFC trekked to Columbus hovering near the bottom of the MLS standings with an interim coach and an impending second straight season missing the MLS Cup playoffs.

Still, as well as the Crew has been playing recently, the rest of the Eastern Conference remains incredibly tight (teams No. 2 through No. 7 are separated by five total points) and the Black & Goild could not afford a letdown following last week’s win against Cincinnati.

Rossi’s goal begins with Toronto’s Michael Bradley in possession of the ball deep in the Reds’ territory. Bradley looks to play the ball out of the Columbus press and has four options. He can play a pass up the touchline to Insigne, move the ball forward with a quick touch to Jonathan Osorio, try a diagonal pass outside the goal box to Brandon Servania or play a short touch pass to Alonso Coello.

With Crew forward Cucho Hernandez bearing down, Bradley hits a quick pass forward to Insigne.

Insigne receives the ball and he is immediately pressured by Julian Gressel.

Gressel’s pressure blocks Insigne’s forward movement and leaves the Italian attacker with four options. He can play a long forward around Gressel to Osorio, attempt to get around Gressel, try a quick square pass to Coello or hit a drop back to Bradley.

Insigne plays a quick ball to Coello who will immediately be under pressure from Darlington Nagbe.

Coello must act fast with his first touch to avoid losing the ball to Nagbe. The midfielder has three options with his first touch: a long pass forward to Osorio, attempt to get around Nagbe with his first touch or a quick diagonal to Servania.

Coello hits a first-touch pass toward Osorio. Midfielder Aidan Morris eyes Coello’s pass and immediately sprints toward the ball to make an interception.

Morris easily picks off the ball and sets off the Black & Gold counter attack.

Under no pressure, Morris has time to decide among four options. He can play a pass over the top to forward Christian Ramirez, try a quick touch-pass to Gressel, play a ball forward to Nagbe or carry the ball toward the goal.

Morris finds Gressel who sees that Nagbe has moved into an unmarked position.

Gressel immediately hits his first touch toward Nagbe.

Nagbe has to stretch to reach the ball as Coello steps forward to provide defensive pressure.

Nagbe hesitates on the ball for half a second before using a burst of speed to easily get around Coello.

With Coello on his back and Bradley about eight yards away, Nagbe must choose among four options. He can either try a square pass to Hernandez, take a shot on goal from distance, play a quick touch forward to Ramirez or hit a diagonal pass into the penalty box toward Rossi.

Nagbe tees up a shot and fires it toward Tomas Romero’s goal.

Romero is able to get in front of the ball as Rossi and Kobe Franklin move toward a potential rebound.

Toronto’s goalkeeper is unable to corral the ball, sending a rebound right toward Rossi and Franklin.

Franklin is slow to react as Rossi quickly lunges toward the ball.

Rossi tees up a shot and fires toward Romero’s left.

Romero can’t get to the ball as it soars past him…

…into the back of the net!

Findings: