MIAMI, May 26, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Diego Rossi scored twice as defending MLS
champions Columbus Crew picked up their third straight win on the road with a
2-0 victory at Orlando City on Saturday.

The Crew, who play in the final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against
Mexico's Pachuca next Saturday, had a made a slow start to the regular season
in MLS but Wilfried Nancy's team look to be hitting their stride.

Uruguayan Rossi put Columbus ahead, on the stroke of half-time, with a
penalty awarded in unusual fashion.

It was Orlando who were awarded a penalty after Crew defender Steven Moreira
brought down City's Colombian winger Luis Muriel inside the box but the video
review spotted a foul at the start of the action, at the other end of the
field.

After going to the monitor, referee Jair Marrufo ruled that Cesar Araujo had
brought down Aidan Morris in the other box and awarded the spot kick for
Columbus -- with Rossi gratefully converting.

Rossi's second, in the 61st minute, was less controversial -- the forward
running on to a pass from Yaw Yeboah and then beating Pedro Gallese with a
delightful chip with the outside of his foot.

There was a seven-goal thriller in Toronto were the home side fought back to
make it 3-3 against Cincinnati through an 85th minute Lorenzo Insigne penalty
only to see Cincinnati's Sergio Santos make it 4-3 in stoppage time.

There was still time though for ex-Italy striker Insigne to find the net
again but his last gasp effort was ruled out for offside.

Former USA and Premier League goalkeeper Brad Guzan was sent off for Atlanta
United in their 1-0 defeat at home to Los Angeles FC.

Guzan's attempted headed clearance, outside his box, struck LAFC's Mateusz
Bogusz and the 39-year-old keeper's outstretched leg brought down the Polish
attacker.

After a VAR review, Guzan was shown a red card and substitute keeper Josh
Cohen's first job was to pick the ball out of the net after the deflected
free-kick from Bogusz beat him.

The game ended 10 against 10 after LAFC's Eduard Atuesta was dismissed after
a second yellow card as the visitors hung on for a 1-0 win.

Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake are fast becoming the MLS comeback
specialists - a week after they scored three late goals to beat the Colorado
Rapids 5-3, they came back from three goals down to earn a 3-3 draw at FC
Dallas.

Nelson Palacio got the equalizer with a left-foot drive in the last of eight
minutes of stoppage time.

Later on Saturday, Inter Miami are at the Vancouver Whitecaps without Lionel
Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez.

Miami's Argentine coach Gerardo Martino said none of the former Barcelona
trio were injured but that the team felt it was wise to rest them and avoid a
12-hour return flight ahead of a midweek game against Atlanta.

Thw Whitecaps had sold out their 55,000 stadium in anticipation of Messi
playing and offered fans half-price food as compensation.