Columbus Crew made home advantage count on Wednesday night, earning a 2-1 Major League Soccer victory over LA Galaxy at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio.

The Crew were the sharper side for much of the evening and their edge in possession and chance creation eventually told. Columbus finished with 57 percent of the ball, 14 total shots and four efforts on target, while LA Galaxy managed seven shots and only one on target — though that one late effort ensured a nervy ending.

For long stretches, this was a fixture played on Columbus’ terms. The home side moved the ball with greater authority, pinned LA Galaxy back for periods and looked the more likely to find the breakthrough. That opening goal arrived in the 40th minute when Dániel Gazdag (40′) struck to give the Crew a deserved 1-0 lead heading into the interval.

Any hope LA Galaxy had of resetting after the break was quickly dented. Columbus came out with intent in the second half and doubled the advantage almost immediately through Diego Rossi (47′). At 2-0, the Crew looked in full control, their pressing and passing rhythm keeping the visitors from building sustained pressure.

LA Galaxy struggled to generate attacking momentum for most of the night, and Columbus’ defensive shape limited clear openings. The visitors also picked up a booking when Gabriel Pec was shown a yellow card deep into first-half stoppage time at 45’+5′. Still, the Galaxy kept pushing, and that persistence finally gave them a route back into the match in the closing stages.

Gabriel Pec (86′) pulled one back with four minutes of normal time remaining, setting up a tense finale and giving the away side a late surge of belief. But the Crew managed the closing moments well enough to protect their lead and see out the result.

The half-by-half pattern reflected the flow of the match: Columbus led 1-0 at the break, then traded one goal apiece with LA Galaxy in the second half to seal the 2-1 final. It was not a flawless closing stretch from the Crew, but over 90 minutes they had done enough to merit all three points.

For Columbus, the result was built on control, territorial pressure and timely finishing from Gazdag and Rossi. For LA Galaxy, Pec’s late goal gave the scoreline some life, but the visitors left knowing they had spent too much of the night chasing the match.