Adams celebrates milestone but keeps focus on Columbus result

Chase Adams has challenged the Columbus Crew to respond immediately when they host CF Montreal, insisting that the team’s result matters more than his own landmark goal.

Adams scored in Columbus’s 3-1 defeat by Charlotte FC, becoming the youngest scorer in Crew history at 18 years and 120 days. The teenager described the moment as “surreal” after being trusted by the club to move to Columbus and develop both as a player and as a person.

“It’s surreal. It’s what I’ve been trying to get to since I’ve come to Columbus,” Adams said.

Despite the personal achievement, Adams said he was disappointed that the goal did not contribute to a positive result. “The main goal for all of us, though, was the result before any other record,” he said.

Crew need to turn home advantage into points

Columbus have won only one of their last four MLS matches, with one draw and two defeats, and sit 11th in the Eastern Conference. Their next opponents, Montreal, are 14th and three points behind them before the meeting at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

The Crew have avoided defeat in their last seven games against Montreal, winning four and drawing three. Their most recent meeting, in May 2025, ended 1-1 at Saputo Stadium. Columbus also have the seventh-best home record in the Eastern Conference this season, collecting 14 points from nine home matches.

Montreal’s away form offers Columbus further encouragement. The Canadian side have earned only four points from nine road games and have conceded 25 goals away from home. Montreal drew 1-1 with D.C. United last weekend after taking the lead through a Prince Owusu penalty.

Adams and Owusu provide the attacking threat

Adams led his Columbus teammates in shots against Charlotte with four and recorded eight touches in the penalty area. He also won both of his duels, continuing a rapid rise that has seen him become the third-youngest player to start a regular-season match for the Crew, behind Danny Szetela and Taha Habroune.

Montreal will look to Prince Owusu, who has scored 11 MLS goals this season and leads the team in both goals and assists, with six assists. Owusu created five chances against D.C. United, while his six shots and 14 touches in the box were both game highs.

Columbus are favored to win, with the Opta model giving the Crew a 57.7 percent probability of victory, compared with 21.5 percent for a draw and 20.8 percent for a Montreal win.