Atlanta, GA
Columbus Crew starting Jacen Russell-Rowe vs. Atlanta United displays the club’s depth
Crew coach Wilfried Nancy has never shied away from mixing up the starting 11.
“My decision could be, regarding the chemistry, regarding the interactions between few players,” Nancy said. “But after that, I can have a decision also about the profile, reading the profile. … So, it depends. There was a lot of things that I’m going to have to see and adjust.”
On Saturday in Columbus’ season opener against Atlanta United, the second-year coach opted to start forward Jacen Russell-Rowe over Alex Matan and Christian Ramirez.
Though Matan, who started every playoff game last season, had just returned to full training on the Monday before the match after he “felt something in his quad,” Nancy stated that the decision to start the 21-year-old wasn’t the injury. Rather, it was based on that day’s matchup. Against Atlanta, Nancy thought, Russell-Rowe could succeed.
In his 75 minutes of play, Russell-Rowe took three shot attempts, two missing far left. The lone score of Columbus’ 1-0 victory came off the boot of striker Cucho Hernandez. Despite a stat line showing no goals, Russell-Rowe remains confident.
“It comes from within,” Russell-Rowe said. “I’m a striker and I can’t be worried about scoring my chances. It’s hard to explain it, but I know I’m going to score my chances, and I have to think that way. I can’t think ‘what if I miss?’ or ‘what if the next one doesn’t go in?’ I just have to focus on when I get my next chance, I’m going to score.”
Russell-Rowe felt the start was a reward for a strong training camp performance. After his first full season with the first team in which he scored four goals across 21 regular-season games that included four starts, the forward has been continuing to integrate into the main group during the preseason.
“Coming in confident and then building better relationships with the other forwards, other players,” Russell-Rowe said. “People I didn’t really have a strong relationship with, coming into this season, and I think that helped me a lot, just feel comfortable on the field.”
Before the start of the season, Nancy stated that there are a number of players with different playing styles who can fill in at left forward. In addition to Russell-Rowe, Matan and Ramirez, there’s Columbus newcomer Marino Hinestroza.
Signed in the offseason from Club de Futbol Pachuca of Liga MX, the 21-year-old Hinestroza brings an ability to handle the ball and go one-on-one with the defense. He’s a greater attacking threat than the other options at the position.
Hinestroza and Russell-Rowe are younger talents who can capitalize on the fact that Columbus will have a heavy schedule this season. Matan and Ramirez bring experience and proven success with the club. Ramirez scored two game-winning goals in the postseason.
“The biggest message that I think I keep playing in my mind is there’s so many times in our career where we want more games and more opportunities, so that everybody can get involved,” Ramirez said. “The potential and possibility of having so many games is really exciting. … When everybody’s opportunity comes, to fully grasp that and show what you can do. “
bmackay@dispatch.com
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“Little Women: Atlanta” star Ms. Juicy Baby is facing legal trouble.
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 31: Ms. Juicy Baby attends the 2019 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration at Atlanta Symphony Hall on January 31, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for BET)
Ms. Juicy, real name Shirlene King-Pearson, was arrested in Winder, Ga. And charged with two offenses: allegedly driving with a suspended license and without insurance, according to a report from E! News.
The incident occurred on April 18 around 7 p.m. and she was released close to six hours later by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
The reality star paid two separate bonds via a bondsman, one for $2,214 and another for $1,510, to be released.
Ms. Juicy rose to fame on Lifetime’s “Little Women: Atlanta” in 2016, documenting her life as a four-foot-tall woman.
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 09: Shirlene ‘Ms. Juicy Baby’ Pearson attends “Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta” season 2 premiere party at Woodruff Arts Center on January 9, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for WEtv)
According to her personal website, in addition to her reality TV and acting work, she has “launched her own successful clothing line which includes her trademark slogans and one-liners, her own bobblehead where you can hear her signature phrases and quick one-liners, as well as her own sunglasses line, Eminence Eyewear by Juicy.”
She apparently faced some health issues in the recent past, posting on Instagram in April 2022 that she had been hospitalized and “stabilized in the ICU,” but did not specify the cause.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 01: Shirlene ‘Ms. Juicy Baby’ Pearson attends The “Bobby-Q” Atlanta Premiere Of “The Bobby Brown Story” at Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
A month later, her a statement was posted to her page confirming she was out of the ICU after suffering a stroke.
“Ms Juicy is a very private person and wants everyone to know she is fighting and ready to go home,” the post read. “She wants to thank her fans for showing so much love and keeping her in their prayers.”
Follow us on Instagram @WeArePauseRewind for all your pop culture obsessions.
Attend a foodie block party at Sweet Auburn Barbecue, take free salsa classes and more things to do in May.
The Good Luck Smoke Show returns to Sweet Auburn Barbecue this year with more than 15 chefs and restaurants sharing bites and cocktails. (Courtesy of Peter Ho)
This May, enjoy a crawfish boil in Smyrna, snag a slot for NFA’s Burger Benefit, take part in the Meals on Wheels Taste fundraiser and celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Here’s our running lineup of food-related things to do in metro Atlanta:
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The NFA Burger Benefit will feature chefs serving their own twists on a burger. (Photo Courtesy of NFA Burger).
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.nosrep rep .m.p moc.tifenebregrub 03:7-.m.a ,daoR yaM .ydoownuD ydoownuD eelbmahC 5645 .3 11 76.69$-77.64$
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.m.p .m.p stneve/moc.yavhalc ,ecalP yaM yaM sdnegeL .atnaltA 03:9-03:6 03:7-03:4 554 ,0056-125-404 .3 .71
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Attend the annual Kyma Champagne Social featuring glasses of Champagne and food to pair with it. (Courtesy of Kyma)
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.nosrep rep .m.p amyk/moc.elbatnepo daoR tnomdeiP ,EN yaM .atnaltA 9-5 ,2070-262-404 5803 .41 95$
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The Good Luck Smoke Show returns to Sweet Auburn Barbecue this year with more than 15 chefs and restaurants sharing bites and cocktails. (Courtesy of Peter Ho)
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Cinco de Mayo events
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Aerial Kitchen & Bar will reopen for the season this May with an all-day Cinco de Mayo event. (Courtesy of Epicurean Atlanta)
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AltaToro will offer three days of specials for Cinco de Mayo. (Courtesy of AltaToro)
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.m.p ltadadinummoc/moc.margatsni ,EN yaM dnalhgiH .evA .atnaltA 556 ,1487-624-015 .5 9-2
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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with drink specials at St. Julep. (Courtesy of Kimpton Sylvan Atlanta-Buckhead)
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Olivia Wakim is a reporter on the lifestyle team. She joined the AJC as an intern in 2023 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a journalism degree. While in school, she reported for The Red & Black, Grady Newsource and the Marietta Daily Journal.
Award-winning actor and rapper Daryl “Chill” Mitchell discusses his legendary career and his latest role in the hit sitcom “Shifting Gears.” Joined by his sons, Justen and Desmin, Chill opens up about fatherhood, the life-altering accident that fueled his advocacy for spinal injury awareness, and the unwavering resilience that keeps his family moving forward.
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