Crew and Sporting KC Battle to 2-2 Draw as Diego Rossi Strikes Late

KANSAS CITY, Kansas (AP) — Diego Rossi scored in the 82nd minute to salvage a 2-2 draw for the Columbus Crew against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night. The result marked the Crew’s first point of the 2026 MLS season after a 3-2 loss to the Portland Timbers in their opener.

Wessam Abou Ali continued his strong start to the season, scoring for the second consecutive match. He found the net in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on a turnover to give Columbus a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Sporting KC leveled the score three minutes into the second half when Dejan Joveljić scored, assisted by Jake Davis and Calvin Harris. Joveljić, who had 18 goals in 32 appearances last season after joining from the 2024 MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy, proved a constant threat. He then gave Sporting KC a 2-1 lead in the 72nd minute with an unassisted goal.

Rossi’s late goal ensured the points were shared. Despite the draw, the Crew had a chance to take the lead when a VAR review awarded them a penalty kick after Jamal Thiare was fouled inside the Kansas City box. However, Wessam Abou Ali’s penalty attempt was saved by goalkeeper John Pulskamp.

Patrick Schulte made two saves in goal for the Crew, who are in their first season under head coach Henrik Rydstrom following the departure of Wilfried Nancy to Scotland. John Pulskamp recorded three saves for Sporting KC, coming off a 3-0 road loss to the San Jose Earthquakes under first-year coach Raphael Wicky.

Match Statistics

Possession: Crew (52.6%), Kansas City (47.4%)
Shots: Crew (10), Kansas City (8)
Shots on Goal: Crew (5), Kansas City (4)
Goalkeeper Saves: Crew (2), Kansas City (3)
Corners: Crew (4), Kansas City (4)
Fouls: Crew (13), Kansas City (9)

Up Next

Columbus hosts the Chicago Fire on March 7, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Sporting KC will host San Diego FC on Saturday.

Source: Associated Press