To kickstart the 2024 MLS season, the Columbus Crew hosted Eastern Conference foe Atlanta United. The two teams met five times last year, with their recent matchups coming in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs presented by Audi. The Crew bested the Five Stripes in the three-game series en route to claiming their third MLS Cup in franchise history.

The Crew received their 2023 MLS Cup championship rings before the start, before defeating the Five Stripes by a 1-0 scoreline. Columbus was the better team in the first half, dominating possession and playing their game like normal.

The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Diego Rossi centered a ball that Brad Guzan got a hand on to parry away. Cucho Hernandez pounced on the rebound and hammered it home to give Columbus a 1-0 advantage.

The home side had multiple chances before the goal, with their best look coming in the 12th minute when the Crew played just four passes from box-to-box. Jacen Russell-Rowe had the opportunity to score, but the shot went just wide of the net.

Atlanta United was fortunate not to lose their starting keeper, Guzan, when he handled the ball outside of the 18-yard box on a shot from Russell-Rowe. However, Atlanta was saved by the offside flag on winger Mo Farsi, which negated the potential red card.

Russell-Rowe had his second opportunity to get on the scoresheet with his chance in the 38th minute, but the attempt ricocheted off the post. Just minutes later, Hernandez attempted to score a scissor-kick chance, but the shot was deflected for a corner kick.

The second half saw controversy just one minute in. Farsi received a pass over the top and saw himself in on goal before getting brought down inside the penalty box. The assistant on the far side signaled for offside, which again would negate the penalty claim from Columbus.

After a lengthy discussion, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Mark Geiger signaled for the center official to take a closer look at the incident. The referee pointed to the spot for a penalty, which saw that Farsi was onside on the initial pass. Guzan would save the ensuing spot kick, keeping the scoreline at 1-0.

Atlanta United would find themselves getting back into the game, dominating possession and forcing Columbus to make mistakes. Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte was called to action in the 71st minute when Atlanta’s Giorgios Giakoumakis got his foot on the loose ball inside the 18-yard box with a shot on goal, forcing Schulte to make a vital save to keep Columbus in the lead.

The Black & Gold came close to closing out the game in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time when Rossi chipped Guzan, but the attempt went high over the crossbar.

Columbus would hold on for the 1-0 win, securing all three points.

Up next, Columbus travel to the Twin Cities to take on Minnesota United Saturday. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. Fans can watch the match using MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.