Columbus Crew’s Lucas Zelarayán is ‘Player of the Week’
It was nothing short of a masterful performance from Lucas Zelarayán as the Columbus Crew midfielder put in two free kicks on Saturday in a 2-1 win over New York City FC. For his performance, Zelarayán is the ‘MLS Multiplex Player of the Week.’
The 28-year old Columbus Crew playmaker hit two free kicks late in the game, first equalizing for the visitors and then grabbing the three points in a match played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
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His first goal, in the 82nd minute, was a blistering rocket from about 30 yards out. Truthfully, NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson could have done better on the effort, even as the power of the set piece seemed to catch him unaware. On the goal, Zelarayán caught Johnson cheating to his RIGHT, leaving the NYCFC goalkeeper flatfooted and unable to adjust to a free kick that cleared the wall and was hit with pace.
The second goal, deep into the fifth minute of stoppage time, was more about placement then power as Zelarayán delicately hit a ball over the wall and just past the outreached grasp of a diving Johnson. He was also named the ‘MLS Player of the Week.’
For Zelarayán, Saturday’s performance for the Columbus Crew is just more evidence of his impact in MLS and his star quality.
So far this season, Zelarayán has three goals in five appearances. He was instrumental a season ago, his first year in MLS, in helping the Columbus Crew lift MLS Cup.
In 16 appearances (12 starts) in 2020, Zelarayán had six goals and four assists.
The Argentine attacker got his start in his homeland with Belgrano before moving to Liga MX side Tigres. In his MLS debut last year, he scored his first MLS goal against none other than NYCFC.
Columbus currently sits at 2-2-2 (8 points) and in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. They play Toronto FC this weekend.
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex’ on Twitter @KristianRDyer