The Columbus Crew was back on the pitch Wednesday after the World Cup break, taking on New York City FC at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in an MLS matchup. The Black & Gold managed just one goal, which came in the 90+3rd minute on a penalty kick from Dániel Gazdag, and fell 2-1. Here are our three takeaways from Wednesday’s match:

1.    Much as we discussed prior to the break, the question for the Black & Gold will continue to be who is going to score for this team given the season-ending injury to Wassem Abou Ali and trade of Diego Rossi. One of the players who will need to step up is Dániel Gazdag, who scored the team’s only goal against NYCFC. The Crew have also acquired some help, including Designated Player Brais Méndez, who just arrived in Columbus but wasn’t in uniform against NYCFC. 

2.   The two Crew players who were in the World Cup, Max Arfsten for the U.S. and Steven Moreira for Cape Verde, were both on the pitch Wednesday. Arfsten did not have his best match, committing the foul that gave NYCFC a penalty kick, which they converted for their first goal. Arfsten described the night, “Obviously disappointing collectively, but individually as well. I obviously didn’t want to concede that penalty, but yeah, just unfortunate all around.”

3.   One bright note for the Black & Gold was the play of midfielder Tarun Karumanchi, who was injured in the preseason. Interim Head Coach Laurent Courtois noted, “Tarun is somebody that deserved the start. He has a huge march to progress, but he could show some glimpses of what he’s capable of. You’re going to start, you gotta start someday. We’re all good and proud in that sense.” It was the former UCLA Bruin’s first start for the Crew.