Crew Hold Burnley to 1-1 as US Tour Ends Winless

Columbus Crew and Burnley FC played to a 1-1 draw in their international friendly on July 12 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Daniel Gazdag scored in the 48th minute and Oluwaseun Adewumi equalised in the 88th as both sides took what they needed from a humid Ohio afternoon.

The result left Burnley winless on a three-stop US tour against MLS clubs while Columbus blooded three new faces and shook off seven weeks of World Cup inactivity.

Gazdag Breaks Through After a Cagey First Half

Chances were scarce before the break. Max Weiss pushed away a Nariman Akhundzada drive and then another late first-half effort to keep the score level. Hydration breaks marked the heat.

Half-time changes arrived for both sides. Two minutes into the second half Hugo Picard produced a backheel and Gazdag finished past the substitute keeper. Columbus controlled possession and looked set for a win until the final minutes.

Burnley pressed harder after the hour. Owen Presthus rattled the bar for the Crew. Then the ball dropped to Adewumi a few yards out and he turned home the equaliser. The late Adewumi strike sealed the draw and denied Columbus a statement result against English opposition.

Facing a team of Burnley’s caliber will provide a meaningful test for our players ahead of our return to MLS play, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup 2026.

Crew general manager Issa Tall had framed the fixture that way when the clubs announced it. The test arrived on schedule.

Three Debuts and Fresh Legs for Columbus

The friendly delivered minutes that mattered more than the scoreline. Crew 2 midfielder Tarun Karumanchi started and made his unofficial first-team debut. The 2026 SuperDraft pick had signed for the reserve side in March.

Brooks Lennon entered in the 60th minute for his own unofficial debut after the Brooks Lennon width signing. Academy defender Chris Rogers followed at the 79th minute. All three left the pitch with senior minutes banked.

• Tarun Karumanchi: started, SuperDraft pick, first unofficial first-team appearance
• Brooks Lennon: 60th-minute substitute, new wide option
• Chris Rogers: 79th-minute academy call-up
• Daniel Gazdag: half-time arrival, 48th-minute goal

Malte Amundsen (thigh) and Wessam Abou Ali (ACL) sat out as expected. The rest of the group rotated freely. Columbus had not played a full match in front of fans since a 2-0 win over Atlanta United on May 24.

Burnley’s Three MLS Stops Produced Zero Wins

The Clarets arrived in Columbus two days after a 3-1 victory Friday night in Cincinnati for the hosts. That result had already set a rough tone. The wake-up call in their tour opener showed depth issues under the summer heat.

After the 1-1 in Columbus they flew to Utah. Real Salt Lake delivered a dominant 4-1 win over Burnley on July 15. The tour finished 0-1-2 against MLS sides.

Managerial notes after Columbus called it a strange game. Heavy rotation and new faces featured throughout. Later results against Ajax continued the mixed preseason picture. Adewumi’s equaliser was a bright individual moment before his subsequent loan move.

Columbus International Ledger Moves to 14-6-9

The Black & Gold entered the match with a strong all-time mark against international clubs outside league and tournament play. The draw updated that ledger to 14 wins, 6 losses and 9 draws.

Their most recent high-profile English test before this one had been a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in a 2024 Leagues Cup showcase. Friendlies against sides from England, Mexico, Spain and elsewhere have long been part of the club’s calendar. General manager Tall called the Burnley visit valuable experience against a competitive opponent ahead of the second half of the season.

ScottsMiracle-Gro Field hosted the game as part of a busy summer that also included other internationals and NWSL activity in the city. Fans received gold-out shirts. The atmosphere stayed competitive even with nothing on the standings line.

Minutes Banked Before the Eastern Conference Restart

MLS paused after May 24 matches for the World Cup. Regular season play resumed in mid-July. Columbus returned against New York City FC on July 22 at home and then faced Cincinnati.

At the time of the Burnley game the Crew sat just outside the Eastern Conference playoff places in 10th. The friendly offered a controlled environment to reintroduce starters, test new arrivals and give academy and Crew 2 players a look without league points at stake.

Burnley headed home with fitness gained and plenty of film on gaps to close before the Championship campaign. Their ownership group includes high-profile American names, and the tour doubled as a market visit. The on-pitch results, however, belonged to the MLS hosts.

Columbus walked away with a point, three debuts and confirmation that Gazdag remains a reliable threat off the bench. That combination beats a rust-heavy return to league action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score between Columbus Crew and Burnley?

Columbus Crew 1-1 Burnley FC on July 12, 2026. Gazdag scored in the 48th minute and Adewumi equalised in the 88th at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

Who made their debuts for Columbus against Burnley?

Tarun Karumanchi started for his unofficial first-team debut, Brooks Lennon came on in the 60th minute, and academy defender Chris Rogers entered at the 79th minute.

How did Burnley’s full US tour finish?

Burnley lost 3-1 to FC Cincinnati, drew 1-1 with Columbus, and lost 4-1 to Real Salt Lake, finishing the three MLS friendlies without a win.

When did Columbus return to MLS regular-season play?

The Crew hosted New York City FC on July 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET after the World Cup break, then faced FC Cincinnati the following Saturday.

What is Columbus Crew’s record in international friendlies?

After the Burnley draw the club stood at 14 wins, 6 losses and 9 draws against international clubs outside of league and tournament competitions.