Cucho Hernandez recorded a hat trick as the Columbus Crew won at home for the first time in over three months, beating hapless Sporting Kansas City 4-0 on Saturday night.
Hernandez scored in the 32nd minute and in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, later making it 4-0 with a goal off a free kick in the 71st minute. Hernandez has scored in three straight matches to give him nine goals for the season.
Making his 100th MLS start, Christian Ramirez had a goal in the 66th minute as the Crew (8-3-6, 30 points) rebounded from a loss at Inter Miami on Wednesday that ended a four-match winning streak.
Columbus had not played at home since May 11, and its most recent win there came back on March 16, a 3-0 decision against the New York Red Bulls.
Sporting Kansas City (3-12-5, 14 points) have dropped three straight matches, allowing four goals in each loss. They have gone just 1-10-0 over their past 11 matches.
It was a classic set-up that led to the first Hernandez score. The Crew held possession before Diego Rossi led Max Arfsten down the left flank. Arfsten neared the end line before making a sharp pass to Hernandez in the middle of the box.
Hernandez made the first touch with his right foot, then made a sharp cutback to elude two defenders before unleashing a left-footed strike into the lower right corner of the net.
Hernandez doubled the lead with a sneaky redirect that deflected off a Kansas City defender.
Aidan Morris earned the primary assist with a cross in his final match for the Crew. The 22-year-old midfielder is expected to sign with Middlesbrough FC of the second-tier English Football League Championship next week. He was given an ovation in the 60th minute as he subbed out.
Ramirez and Hernandez later scored within five minutes of each other to put the finishing touches on the blowout.
–Field Level Media
