Two new Columbus Crew SC faces link up for game-saving 90th minute goal
By Tom Bogert @tombogert
Two Columbus Crew SC debutants made the difference in the club's 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday at SeatGeek Stadium.
Down 2-1, young Designated Player Luis Diaz entered the field in the 65th minute, then Romario Williams 15 minutes thereafter. In the 90th minute, Diaz assisted Williams for an equalizing goal, a sweet cross and headed finish.
Diaz, 20, was signed from Costa Rican side Herediano for a reported transfer fee of $1 million. He had 66 appearances in the Costa Rican top flight in his young career, with three goals and eight assists.
Williams, 24, joined the Crew via trade with Atlanta United. Columbus sent Atlanta $100,000 in General Allocation Money for his services. The striker made 19 appearances over two seasons with Atlanta, all off the bench.
On the Columbus broadcast postgame, Williams was emotional on getting a chance and taking advantage.
"Words can't really describe the emotions," the Jamaican said. "The team has been struggling all year and we came in tonight with a very good game plan...I was patient, I was resilient, these guys believed in me, they told me I'm going to get [a goal]. I believed it, I felt it."
Diaz also credited the warm welcome from his new teammates for pushing him on.
"My teammates gave me a lot of confidence and I just wanted to show that," Diaz told reporters in Spanish after the game.
Columbus head coach Caleb Porter explained that the club's new attacking signings are already demonstrating their quality.
"For Romario and Luis Diaz to come into the game and create that goal, that shows the quality they have and why we brought them in," Porter said.
"I think it was the first time this year where really we got a push off the bench, where a guy came in the game and pulled off a play for us. We haven't had that all season long, so that's why we brought Romario here, to do that for us," he added.
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