06/15/2018

 

FC Columbus vs Grand Rapids FC

 

Going on the road for just the second time this season, FC Columbus left Houseman Field with a crucial 3 points after defeating Grand Rapids FC 3-0 on a beautiful summer night. Damani Camara powered the team to victory with 2 goals in the first half.

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Having a full week of practice to regroup following the hard-fought tie with Detroit City FC, FC Columbus from the first whistle brought high pressure looking to dictate the pace of the match.

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That pressure paid of early for the away side when a deflected shot fell to Damani Camara on the back post. With confidence, Camara didn’t miss his chance to put FC Columbus up 1-0 in the 3rd minute of the match.

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The away side didn’t let up and after being caught offsides in the 26th minute by a well-timed Grand Rapids FC trap, control of possession and the game paid off again for FC Columbus. Finding time in the midfield, Cheick Diawara found Damani Camara on the back post in the 28th minute to put the away side up 2-0.

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Off the restart in play, Grand Rapids FC appeared to have caught the visiting side over confident, as Scott Doney was able to turn a free kick cross into the back of the net. The goal was quickly waved off by the 4th official as the ball was played into the box before FC Columbus was able to finish their substitution. 

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Grand Rapids FC looked determined to claw back into the game for the remainder of the half. FC Columbus’s David Abonce, playing for the first time this season, was forced into making two great saves to keep the visitors ahead 2-0 going into the half.

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The visiting side started off the second half much like the first, forcing a great save from Grand Rapids FC’s Noah Fazekas in the 46th minute.

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Grand Rapids FC appeared to find its footing in the 55th minute. After jumping on a poorly played goal kick by Abonce, the home team would have finally found its first goal, if not for a diving save by Abonce.

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Minutes later in the 56th minute, Grand Rapids FC forced Abonce into making a point blank save to keep the scoreline 2-0.

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FC Columbus would finally settle down in the second half, as Ousmane Sy and Omar Kamara came on for Charles Renken and Tyler Arnold in the 67th and 74th minutes.

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Late in the second half, FC Columbus would put the game out of reach in the 84th minute on a well executed counter attack. After dispossessing Grand Rapids FC on the top of his own defensive box, Kangni Gabianou played a wonderful ball over the top to Michael Chilton. With fresh legs, having come on for Jonatan “Corro” Alvarez in the 78th minute, Chilton was able to create enough distance from the backline to send a strike past Fazekas for a 3-0 lead.

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FC Columbus continues its road trip against Kalamazoo FC on Father’s Day - June 17th and then heads to FC Indiana on Friday, June 22nd.

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FC Columbus

Goal: Damani Camara (3', 28’), Michael Chilton (84’)

Cautions - YC: 59' – Ezra Armstrong

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Grand Rapids FC

Cautions - YC: 77' – Scott Doney