Despite their strong first-half performance, the Crew's defense collapsed in the second half, allowing Atlanta to score four goals and nearly complete a comeback, highlighting defensive lapses.

Coach Wilfried Nancy acknowledged the defensive struggles and the unusual nature of the game, emphasizing the importance of analyzing and improving after such a performance.

The game featured a crucial penalty for Atlanta after a foul by Yevhen Cheberko, and defensive lapses early in the second half contributed to a tense finish.

In a dramatic MLS match, the Columbus Crew narrowly defeated Atlanta United 5-4, after leading 5-0 at halftime, but the game was marked by a second-half collapse as Atlanta scored four unanswered goals in a remarkable comeback.

Diego Rossi delivered a standout performance, scoring a hat trick—his first in over two seasons—and was substituted shortly after due to hamstring discomfort, with his status for the next game to be evaluated.

The Crew showcased their offensive strength early on, with Rossi netting two goals in the first 20 minutes and a record-setting fourth goal in the 30th minute, highlighting their attacking prowess.

Rossi's hat trick made him the team's leading scorer with 16 goals this season, marking a significant milestone in his MLS career.

This victory ended a winless streak in MLS play since July 19 and moved the Crew into the top five of the Eastern Conference, though concerns about defensive consistency remained.

The match underscored the Crew’s ongoing defensive issues, particularly quick goal concessions, which have contributed to multiple losses this season and emphasized the need for defensive resilience.