Columbus sweeps MLS is Back group stage in win vs. Atlanta

The Crew asserted itself as one of the tournament favorites Tuesday night in finishing the group stage with a third-straight win, defeating Atlanta United 1-0 at the MLS is Back Tournament near Orlando, Florida.

Against a team fighting for a chance at moving onto the knockout stage, the Crew played confidently and were in control from the beginning of the first half. The club was able to finish off a sluggish second half and ended the group stage without conceding a goal.

Midfielder Youness Mokhtar scored the lone goal in the 18th minute, his second of the tournament.

As the winner of Group E, the Crew await the second-place finisher of Group D and will play July 28 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

Mokhtar’s goal was the result of a 19-pass sequence that illustrated how coach Caleb Porter wants his offense to dictate possession with a purpose. Right back Harrison Afful made the key pass to midfielder Pedro Santos atop the box.

The Crew then moved the ball to left back Milton Valenzuela who found Mokhtar in the middle of the box. The Dutch-Moroccan winger hit his shot off the heel of Atlanta defender Miles Robinson which bounced off the right post into the net for the opening goal.

Mokhtar was involved less than 10 minutes earlier in what should have been the Crew’s first goal. After Valenzuela and forward Gyasi Zardes controlled the ball from the press that disrupted Atlanta heavily in the first half, Mokhtar switched the field and found winger Luis Diaz all alone on the right side of the field.

With Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan closing in on him, Diaz booted his shot wide off the side netting and missed the early opportunity.

Mokhtar later had to sub out of the game in the 42nd minute due to an injury to his right leg.

Valenzuela made his first start and appearance of the MLS is Back Tournament after missing the past two games due to a minor injury. The left back, who missed the entire 2019 season with a knee injury, was credited with an assist on Mokhtar’s goal.

Fatigue and the warm weather appeared to play a significant role in the second half as neither team had much inspiration in the attack.

After allowing one shot on goal in the first half that came off a free kick, the Crew gave up more opportunities in the second half. Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made two solid saves in the first six minutes of the half, one coming off the foot of Atlanta’s top playmaker Pity Martinez.

In the game’s final minutes, Atlanta had an opportunity off a set piece near the left post. With a quick reaction, Tarbell made his best save of the game on a shot from defender Anton Walkes that left Walkes in disbelief.

A few minutes later, Tarbell saw another shot from Walkes through traffic and stopped it with his right foot to preserve the clean sheet.

Tarbell started over Eloy Room who suffered a hamstring injury last match. ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Jon Champion said Room could miss the next game or two with the injury.

Porter made six changes to the lineup from the last game against New York Red Bulls and moved Santos to the middle in place of designated player Lucas Zelarayan, who entered in the 60th minute.

ESPN color commentator Taylor Twellman said during the broadcast that Zelarayan suffered a minor ankle injury in training since Thursday’s game.

Moving ahead to the knockout stage, Porter will want his team to be more ruthless in the final stage of the game. But the Crew set out to win all three games because they count toward the regular season standings.

Mission accomplished.