NYCFC rout Crew to end Columbus' unbeaten run

Thiago scored and had an assist for New York City FC in a 4-1 victory on Friday that ended the visiting Columbus Crew's six-match unbeaten streak.

Valentin Castellanos made it 1-0 in the 14th minute, and Thiago (35th), Keaton Parks (51st) and Santiago Rodriguez (71st) also scored as New York City (8-5-2, 26 points) won its third straight game.

New York City has outscored the Crew (6-4-6, 24 points) and Orlando SC 9-1 this week at Yankee Stadium.

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NYCFC goalkeeper Luis Barraza was headed for third straight shutout until Pedro Santos converted a penalty kick in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time.

Columbus, which was 2-0-4 in its previous six games, allowed its most goals since a 4-0 road loss to the LA Galaxy on July 7, 2018.

Castellanos scored his sixth goal of the season on a header from a right corner kick by Jesus Medina. Castellanos, who is 5-foot-10 took advantage of a 4-inch height advantage on defender Harrison Afful at the 6-yard box to break the 236-minute shutout streak of Eloy Room.

New York City doubled the lead on a mistake by Room.

Thiago received a long ball from Alfredo Morales, and Room decided to challenge him on the left side of the penalty area. Thiago calmly chipped the ball over the keeper and into the open net for the Brazilian's second goal in seven games.

Thiago set up Parks with a smooth pass from the left side for Parks' third goal. Rodriguez got his first goal in his fifth MLS game with a tap-in from a Maximiliano Moralez pass.

This was the last of the teams' three meetings this season. The Crew won a pair of 2-1 games with Lucas Zelarayan scoring on three free kicks, two of them game-winners.

The busy summer schedule continues Wednesday with the Crew hosting D.C. United while New York City is at Chicago.