Canadian Russell-Rowe helps Crew past Toronto FC

TORONTO — Canadian teenager Jacen Russell-Rowe showed off his skill and sense of occasion Wednesday.

The 19-year-old forward from nearby Brampton, Ont., who spent seven years with the Toronto FC academy, had two assists in his first MLS start to help the Columbus Crew defeat Toronto 2-1.

"It felt amazing," said Russell-Rowe. "Getting two assists, the win on the road. Just playing at BMO Field. All of that together makes it a very special night for me."

The Canadian youth international, who found out Monday he was starting in Toronto, had his mother, sister and girlfriend in the stands.

Sean Zawadzki, in just his second MLS outing, and Darlington Nagbe scored for Columbus, which led 2-0 after 30 minutes.

Toronto, with Spanish playmaker Alejandro Pozuelo pulling the strings, had plenty of possession and chances but failed to convert until Jesus Jimenez scored in the 54th minute.

The visitors, in comparison, scored on two of their three shots on target. Columbus (5-5-6) then pulled men behind the ball to protect its lead as Toronto kept attacking.

Toronto (5-9-3) outshot Columbus 19-10 (with seven shots on target) and had 63.9 per cent possession before an announced crowd of 21,289.

Toronto coach Bob Bradley pointed to "a couple of careless moments" with the ball and poor finishing for the loss.

"(The) quality in and around the box was not what you need in a game like that, especially when you go behind," he added.

Toronto came into the game having lost just one of its last seven outings (4-1-2) in all competitions with reinforcements on hand. Italian star forward Lorenzo Insigne and veteran defender Domenico Criscito await the MLS secondary transfer window opening July 7 to take the field for TFC. Both were in the stands