Welcome to the Anatomy of a Goal, where following each match we dissect one goal (or near goal) from a previousColumbus Crew contest. For the ninth match of the 2024 MLS season, we look at Steven Moreiras 74th-minute goal that leveled the game and rescued a home point for the Crew on Saturday night.

Here is a look at the fantastic goal from Moreira.

Columbus took the field against their old foes, the Portland Timbers, on the heels of five straight draws and no wins since March 16. The Timbers took the lead early but the Black & Gold were able to fight back with a Cucho Hernandez goal early in the second half. Hernandez had a penalty shout that was not given and Portland used the Crews lack of focus to retake their lead. As the match dwindled, Columbus needed a bit of magic to gab the match-leveler.

Moreiras goal begins with Mohamed Farsi picking up an errant Timbers pass deep in the Black & Golds defensive territory. Darion Asprilla gives chase but Farsi is able to easily pick up the ball.

Farsi plays a short pass to Moreira who eyes Darlington Nagbe dropping back into a supportive position.

Moreira quickly plays the ball forward to Nagbe.

Nagbe takes a touch to turn the ball upfield and finds Diego Rossi with his second touch.

Rossi receives the ball and takes a touch forward to survey the Portland Timbers defensive shape.

The winger resets possession back to Nagbe and continues up the field.

Nagbe collects the ball and shifts the attack over to Rudy Camacho.

Camacho then plays a first-touch pass forward to left center-back Malte Amundsen.

Amundsen takes a touch on the ball and finds himself with four options: 1. a pass up the sideline to Yaw Yeboah; 2. continue to carry the ball forward; 3. a square pass to Nagbe; or, 4. a quick drop to Aidan Morris.

The Danish defender plays a quick pass up the flank to Yeboah . . .

. . . who uses his first touch to drop the ball back to Amundsen.

Amundsen makes his own first-touch pass toward Morris.

Morris takes a few touches forward and plays the ball right to Amundsen.

Amundsen spots Cucho Hernandez and hits a first-touch pass toward the striker.

Hernandez is taken down by Juan Mosquera and swarmed by Diego Chara.

Somehow, Hernandez regains his balance and slides the ball over to Jacen Russell-Rowe.

Russell-Rowe receives the ball and has three immediate options: 1. a diagonal pass back to Hernandez; 2. attempt to carry the ball into the goal box; or, 3. a square pass to Rossi.

Before Russell-Rowe can make a decision the ball is tackled away by Kamal Miller.

Miller keeps the ball while on the ground and touches a pass ahead toward Cristhian Paredes.

Paredes chases the ball as Amundsen sprints in to provide defensive cover.

The Timbers midfielder just beats Amundsen to the ball but ends up sending the ball right to the Black & Gold defender.

Amundsen uses his first touch to redirect the ball back toward Yeboah.

Yeboah collects the ball and drops it back to Morris.

Morris picks up his head and sees five options: 1. a pass ahead to Russell-Rowe; 2. a long ball forward to Rossi; 3. a square pass to Moreira; 4. a lay-off to Nagbe; or, 5. continue to carry the ball.

The young midfielder spies an unmarked Moreira and hits a pass right to him.

Moreira opens his hips and uses his first touch to send the ball toward the goal.

With his second touch, Moreira must decide among five options: 1. a diagonal pass to Russell-Rowe; 2. a long shot on goal; 3. a quick touch forward to Rossi; 4. carry the ball forward; or, 5. a diagonal pass to Farsi.

With the ball teed up perfectly, Moreira hits a laser beam toward James Pantemiss goal.

Pantemis is slightly blocked from getting an eye on Moreiras shot but still picks up the ball as it leaves the right center-backs foot.

Pantemis dives toward the ball but can only watch as it soars past him . . .

. . . into the back of the net!

Findings:

Read the original:
Anatomy of a Goal: Steven Moreira bags a goal of the year candidate - Massive Report