Black Stars Defender Jonathan Mensah Glitters In Preseason Tourney For MLS Side

• Jonathan Mensah scored a goal as Major League giants Columbus Crew whitewashed Charleston Battery 3:0 in the Carolina Challenge Cup on Saturday
• The emphatic win for Columbus Crew puts them at the summit of the standings momentarily pending the results of Inter Miami and Charlotte
• The Carolina Challenge Cup is a preseason tournament that features clubs from the Major League Soccer and the United Soccer Leagues

Ghana international Jonathan Mensah was on the scoresheet as Columbus Crew thumped lower-tier outfit Charleston in the 2022 Carolina Challenge Cup to end their pre-season preparations ahead of the new season.

The 31-year-old centre-half broke the deadlock after just nine minutes before midfielder Lucas Zelarayan doubled the lead in the 27th minute to go to halftime with a comfortable lead.

Portuguese midfielder Pedro Santos put the icing on the cake for the Black and Gold side to record their first win in the competition.

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The comprehensive win puts the 2020 MLS Cup winners in contention for yet another Carolina Challenge Cup scalp - a competition which they have won on four occasions.

This year's competition features David Beckham's Inter Miami, United Soccer Leagues sides Charlotte and Charleston.

Mensah, who doubles as the skipper for Columbus Crew, will hope his early-season form will earn him a call-up ahead of the FIFA World Cup showdown with Nigeria next month.

The Crew will commence their regular season on Saturday, 26 February when they play host to Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Lower.com Field.

What is the Carolina Challenge Cup?

The Carolina Challenge Cup is a preseason competition that features four sides from the Major Soccer League and the United Soccer Leagues.

The competition which began in 2004 is played in a round-robin format with four clubs. The team which amasses the highest number of points at the end of the fixtures is crowned champion.

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Columbus Crew is the most successful side in the tournament together with fellow MLS side DC United.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that all is set for Ghana’s showdown with Nigeria in the final qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Last month, the Black Stars were drawn against the Super Eagles to battle for one of five African slots for this year’s global showdown.

Unfortunately, it will mean that one of Africa’s top sides will not be present at this year’s FIFA World Cup