The Columbus Crew were in Atlanta Saturday, looking for their first MLS win since beating D.C. United on July 19. On the strength of a Diego Rossi hat trick Saturday, the Black & Gold took a 5-0 lead in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta roared back, but came up just short and the Crew left Georgia with a 5-4 victory.

Rossi recorded the first two goals of the match, scoring in the 14th and 17th minutes. Newly-signed forward Wessam Abou Ali posted his first goal for the Crew in the 25th minute, followed five minutes later by Andrés Herrera’s second goal of the season. Rossi finished the Crew’s scoring effort with his third goal in the 39th minute.

For Rossi, it was his third MLS hat trick, his first for the Black & Gold. The three goals gave him 16 this season, matching his best MLS season with Los Angeles FC in 2019.

Atlanta made it 5-2 with goals at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half. They managed two more, when Jamal Thiaré scored in the 50th and 88th minutes, but the Crew escaped with the win.

Columbus has two games this upcoming week. On Wednesday, they play New York City FC at Yankee Stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Black & Gold return home next Saturday with a match against Toronto FC. The action kicks off at Lower.com Field at 7:30 p.m.