American-born Ghanaian midfielder Gyasi Zardes bagged a brace for Columbus Crew in their 2-0 win over Chicago Fire in a Major League Soccer game.
Zardes, who tied Lucas Zelarayan for the club lead with three goals apiece, gave the Crew all the scoring it needed in the 18th minute, volleying home from eight yards into the lower right corner past goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth after a failed Chicago clearance.
In the 34th minute, Jonathan Mensah lofted a long ball down the right side to Derrick Etienne, Jr. Etienne then shuffled the ball off on the left to Zardes, who slipped it into an empty net.
Columbus closed out Crew Stadium — the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer and the club’s first home — before moving downtown to Lower.com Field next month.
Columbus coach Caleb Porter set up a 4-5-1 formation on the field with Evan Bush on goal; Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Josh Williams and Pedro Santos on the defensive line; Liam Fraser, Darlington Nagbe, Derrick Etienne Jr., Lucas Zelarayán and Alexandru Matan in the middle; and Gyasi Zardes in the attack.