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TRISantiago Rodríguez scores in second Columbus Crew appearance despite loss to DC United
The Uruguayan has now scored in both of his appearances for the MLS club, though he couldn't prevent a 2-1 defeat to DC United.
Him again. Santiago Rodríguez showed up once more right where it hurts most for an opponent: on the scoreboard. This time the Uruguayan couldn't keep Columbus Crew from falling on the road to DC United, but he left his mark again, and it's starting to become a striking pattern.
The match got complicated fast for the Uruguayan squad. Tai Baribo, the home side's attacking focal point, scored twice in just 14 minutes: first in the 24th minute and again in the 38th, sealing a comfortable 2-0 lead for DC United heading into halftime.
With the result already an uphill battle, Columbus came out with a different attitude in the second half, and that's when the night's headline name showed up again. Rodríguez pulled one back for his side, netting what ended up being the consolation goal in the loss to DC United.
A start that's already turning heads
What stands out isn't just the goal itself, but the timing of it. This was Rodríguez's second appearance in a Columbus Crew shirt, and once again the Uruguayan, a product of Nacional's academy, found the back of the net. The previous Saturday he had already scored in a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids, in what was his debut for the club.
Two games, two goals. For a player who just arrived in a new league, with a different pace and different physical demands, that kind of immediate adaptation isn't going unnoticed among Columbus fans, who are starting to get excited about what the Uruguayan can bring for the rest of the season.
On the other side, Tai Baribo confirmed he remains a nightmare for MLS defenses. His two goals against Columbus allowed DC United to take all three points at home and show that, with him up front, the home side always has a way to do damage.
For Columbus Crew, the challenge now is to shore up the collective level needed to match the strong individual start from their new addition. Because a forward who scores game after game is great news, but it doesn't count for much if the team can't turn that scoring touch into results.