Crew Frustrations Grow After Loss to Revolution

Columbus Crew concede second-half lead, fall 2-1 to New England despite early advantage

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:58am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a soccer match between the Columbus Crew and New England Revolution, with the players' bodies and the ball broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the energy and frustration of the game.A cubist interpretation of the Columbus Crew's frustrating loss to the New England Revolution, with the players' forms fractured into a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors.Columbus Today

The Columbus Crew recorded their fourth loss of the regular season, falling 2-1 on the road against the New England Revolution on April 18. Despite taking a one-goal lead into halftime, the Crew struggled in the second half, allowing the Revolution to score two unanswered goals off set pieces.

Why it matters

The Crew's frustrating start to the season has them sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, with just one win and 10 goals scored through eight games. The loss of striker Wessam Abou Ali to a season-ending injury will make it even more challenging for the Crew to climb back up the standings.

The details

The Crew took a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute when midfielder Max Arfsten capitalized on an open goal, but New England equalized in the 54th minute on a diving header from forward Dor Turgeman off a free kick. Turgeman then drew a foul in the box, allowing midfielder Carles Gil to convert the game-winning penalty kick in the 85th minute. The Crew's possession rate dropped from 52.7% to 47.4% by the end of the game, and they managed just one shot in the second half before stoppage time.

  • The Crew took a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute.
  • New England equalized in the 54th minute.
  • Carles Gil scored the game-winning penalty kick in the 85th minute.

The players

Max Arfsten

A midfielder for the Columbus Crew who scored the team's lone goal in the 25th minute.

Dor Turgeman

A forward for the New England Revolution who scored the equalizing goal in the 54th minute and drew the penalty that led to the game-winning goal.

Carles Gil

A midfielder for the New England Revolution who converted the game-winning penalty kick in the 85th minute.

Henrik Rydstrom

The head coach of the Columbus Crew.

Wessam Abou Ali

A striker for the Columbus Crew who suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

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What they’re saying

“What happened in the second half was that we covered more than took a step forward. [New England] didn't create anything. They had a wide free kick, a soft free kick, and they scored on that. My goal was that we don't get affected by those kind of things, but of course, you get affected.”

— Henrik Rydstrom, Head Coach, Columbus Crew

“It's tough right now. I think we just, once again, got the lead and then stopped playing as aggressively, offensively and defensively, and then you saw what happened.”

— Max Arfsten, Midfielder, Columbus Crew

“It's a little bit of both. I know I hit that guy [Ilay Feingold] at the end. I was just pissed. It had nothing to do with him. I think we all just got aggressive and frustrated as the second half went on, and I think it's natural.”

— Max Arfsten, Midfielder, Columbus Crew

What’s next

The Crew will look to bounce back in their next match against Atlanta United on April 22.

The takeaway

The Crew's frustrating start to the season, including their inability to hold onto leads, has them in a deep hole in the Eastern Conference standings. Overcoming the loss of striker Wessam Abou Ali and finding a way to play a complete 90 minutes will be crucial if the Crew hope to climb back into playoff contention.