Cucho Hernández leads Crew to 2-0 win over Toronto FC

On Wednesday night, Juan "Cucho" Hernández made a significant impact after coming off the bench at halftime, leading the Columbus Crew to a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC. The match saw Hernández score his 14th goal of the season in the 51st minute, following a pass from Jacen Russell-Rowe, who recorded his first assist of the year. This goal broke the deadlock in a match that had remained scoreless in the first half. The Crew extended their lead in the 70th minute when defender Andrés Herrera scored his first career goal, assisted by Hernández. This marked Hernández's 11th assist of the season, matching his career high from the previous year. The Crew's goalkeeper, Patrick Schulte, played a crucial role in the victory, achieving his 12th clean sheet of the season, which ties him for the league lead. Columbus has demonstrated strong defensive capabilities this season, allowing only 28 goals in 28 matches, a league-low and a club record. In contrast, Toronto FC has struggled offensively, scoring just 38 goals, the fewest among teams currently in playoff contention. The Crew's performance against Toronto comes after a disappointing 4-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders in their last home match. Looking ahead, the Crew will host Orlando City in their next match, while Toronto will travel to face the Colorado Rapids. This victory not only boosts the Crew's confidence but also solidifies their position in the playoff race as they continue to strive for success in the league.