Columbus rallies to defeat understrength TFC

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Lucas Zelarayan scored one goal and helped set up the other as the Columbus Crew rallied to defeat an understrength Toronto FC side 2-1 in MLS play Saturday.

Goals by Zelarayan in the 56th minute and Derek Etienne Jr. in the 65th negated a 14th-minute strike by Spanish forward Jesus Jimenez with Columbus (2-0-1) coming on strong in the second half to overcome a bright start by Toronto (0-2-1).

The margin of victory could have been larger had substitutes Gyasi Zardes, in the 70th minute, and Luis Diaz, in the 80th, not misfired on excellent scoring chances.

It was a fast-paced, end-to-end game on a chilly afternoon at Lower.com Feld that saw snowflakes falling at times.

Jimenez's early goal, his second in as many games, gave Toronto its first lead of the young season as Columbus failed to deal with a Luca Petrasso corner. Jonathan Osorio found Alejandro Pozuelo on the left edge of the penalty box and the Spaniard's cross found an unmarked Jimenez, who headed it home from in front of goal.

Toronto 'keeper Alex Bono made a magnificent reflex save in the 54th minute to deny a Jonathan Mensah header off a Columbus corner.

But two minutes later, Zelarayan beat Bono with a low shot from just outside the penalty box for his fourth goal in three games. And Columbus began to take control.

The Argentine star midfielder played provider in the 65th minute with a free kick that Mensah headed back across goal, where an unmarked Etienne fired a shot that pinged off a defender and past Bono. Toronto may well feel hard done by the foul call against Jayden Nelson on Pedro Santos that provided the set-piece opportunity.

Zelarayan has scored in his last six matches dating back to Oct. 27, a stretch that has produced eight