The mood was mixed on Saturday night following a 3-2 Columbus Crew loss at Orlando City SC.
Yes, it was clear everyone was disappointed. The Black & Gold conceded seconds into the match, and then again in the final minute of regular time. But they also generated numerous attacking chances, only to be denied by Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crépreu’s 12 saves.
“We certainly arrived a lot of times in front of Orlando's goal,” interim head coach Laurent Courtois said after the result. “We couldn't convert the way we wanted. Crépeau had a great game. What I told the guys is I was impressed with the performance.
“It sucks because coming in that environment and producing what they've produced and getting out with zero points is really tough. I'm really proud of the way that they performed on and off the ball.”
Despite the home side scoring quickly, Homegrown midfielder Taha Habroune quickly leveled the contest through seven minutes, when he coolly slotted the ball past Crépreu. Habroune received the ball from Santiago Rodríguez, who cleverly played the assist through four Orlando defenders before Habroune scored his third MLS goal this season.
Antoine Griezmann put Orlando back in front, but again, the Crew equalized the match for a second time in the 53rd minute via Brais Méndez. The goal was his fourth in league action, and since he joined Columbus earlier this summer, Méndez has seven goal contributions in his first eight games in the U.S.
Habroune also provided an assist on the goal, which prompted Courtois to say it was the midfielder’s best performance in a Black & Gold shirt.
“Beside the goal and the assist, I felt that was maybe the best performance he’s had,” the interim head coach said. “Really complete, really clear in terms of decision making and the volume of actions, also. It was his best game.”
Unfortunately, the home side went ahead for a third and final time in the 89th minute through Iván Angulo.
With Saturday night’s setback, the Crew have just six matches remaining during the 2026 MLS regular season. There’s little time to dwell on the result, though.
On Wednesday night, the Black & Gold host Charlotte FC in a midweek matchup at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Kick it with the Crew. Including that match, Columbus will play six games in 21 days.
“We have important games coming out pretty fast,” Courtois said. “We recover, we make sure that we are aware of everything that we want to keep, and modify a couple of things, especially against different opponents. We're confident that the group is in a good spot. In terms of performance, it's in the continuity of what they've done the last few weeks, if not months. Yeah, we look forward for the next game, but first, let's recover.”
On Oct. 21, Columbus will host St. Louis CITY SC in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, as the Crew look to win a third trophy in four seasons. Come watch the Crew win the Cup.
