MLS: Cape Verde's Moreira sparks comeback victory for Columbus Crew
- Andrew Olsson
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
Down with a goal at St. Louis City with halftime approaching on Sunday, Columbus Crew needed an answer and a crucial equalizer arrived from an unlikely source in their Major League Soccer clash.
Steven Moreira, the reigning MLS Defender of the Year, produced a stellar volley to pull the visitors level in first half stoppage time. The 30-year-old former Toulouse player ran to meet Maximilian Arfsted's cross with an excellent technical strike that allowed the top Eastern Conference team to control the play in the second half after the break.
Diego Rossi's long range strike early in the second half put Columbus ahead for good as they controlled the match for large stretches against a struggling St. Louis City side. Columbus lead the Eastern Conference after the 8th matchday with 18 points from 8 matches.
Sunday's goal marked Moreira's fifth MLS goal since joining the Crew midway the 2021 season. The former French youth national team player has also become an important player for the Cape Verde national team, playing all five matches for the Blue Sharks at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Moreira did not play for Cape Verde during the most recent March FIFA window but is a highly valued member of the team. The France native stated in an interview with Onze Mondial that the island nation had been recruiting him since he was with France's under-21 national team.
Moreira prepares for MLS dream match up as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami come to town on 19 April. Columbus' reliable defensive pillar will hope to limit Messi's impact and deal Miami their first league defeat of the season.
