MLS Is Back Tournament: Good Thursday For Buckeye State Clubs; Crew Qualify For Round Of 16; Reds Hold Off Impact In Wild Battle

At Bay Lake, Florida:

Three games were played on Thursday as the MLS is Back Tournament continued at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in suburban Orlando.

GROUP E:

In the first of two group E matches, Frankie Amaya scored the winning goal in the 76th minute as FC Cincinnati upended nine-man Atlanta United 1-0, putting the Five Stripes on the cusp of elimination.

In the second Group E game, Gyasi Zardes (22') and Lucas Zelarayan (47') each scored once as the Columbus Crew locked up a berth in the knockout stage after blanking the New York Red Bulls 2-0.

Group E Standings:

1. x-Columbus (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
2.    New York Red Bulls (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
3.    FC Cincinnati (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 3)
4.    Atlanta United FC (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage



GROUP C:

Ayo Akinola produced a hat trick (25', 37', 83') as Toronto FC held off the Montreal Impact 4-3.