D.C. United and Columbus Crew SC came into their Saturday night meeting walking down two distinctly different paths.
Crew SC had won three of its previous four matches, with United having lost three times and drawn once in that same span.
And it was Columbus’ upward trajectory that continued, as they rode an early Ethan Finlay strike and the eventual game-winner from Kei Kamara – his 21st goal of the season – to a 2-1 victory at RFK Stadium. The three points leave Crew SC tentatively in first place in the Eastern Conference with 47 points from 30 matches, one point clear of the second-place New England Revolution.
D.C. United, meanwhile, remain in a tie for third place with 45 points from 30 games after failing to capitalize on a second-half rally sparked by a Chris Rolfe penalty kick.
Columbus applied pressure early and often, very nearly opening the scoring in the second minute when midfielder Tony Tchani’s close-range attempt found the crossbar. Three minutes later, Tchani took another stab at goal, firing a 25-yard blast that United goalkeeper Bill Hamid parried away at full stretch. Kamara, the MLS Golden Boot leader, stormed in in the 13th minute, rounding several United defenders before bending in an 8-yard shot towards the far post that Hamid did well to push away.
In the 14th minute, D.C. got their first opportunity on a turnover; Costa Rican international Alvaro Saborio pounced on a poor pass 25 yards out and found himself in alone on goal. His right-footed shot, however, was sent directly at Crew SC ‘keeper Steve Clark, who easily smacked it away. Saborio’s 20th-minute effort was better, but yielded similar results, his attempt at a spectacular left-footed volley was pushed over the bar by Clark. The action continued a minute later when United midfielder Perry Kitchen sent in a 20-footer that Clark smothered with little trouble.
Back and forth they went until Crew SC found the opener in the 27th minute. Michael Parkhurst played in a ball from 40 yards out toward the arc; Kamara nodded it on to Crew SC midfielder Tyson Wahl at the near edge of the area. Wahl slipped a pass across to Finlay in the six-yard box, and the speedy midfielder made no mistake, swiveling before knocking it home for his ninth goal of the year.
Kamara doubled Columbus’ lead shortly after the halftime whistle. Played through by Tchani, the former Sporting KC forward accelerated past United defender Steve Birnbaum and used a deft, right-footed shot to round Hamid for the goal.
D.C. were tossed a lifeline in the 67th minute when fullback Sean Franklin streaked down the flank and sent in a ball that Crew SC defender Chris Klute handled. Referee Ted Unkel pointed to the spot without hesitation, and Rolfe stepped up to take the ensuing penalty kick, smashing it into the upper 90 for D.C.’s first goal of the evening.
United very nearly equalized in the 85th minute, when Chris Pontius connected with Saborio at the top of the six. Saborio redirected the service into the back of the net, but the assistant referee signaled for offside. D.C.’s players and coaches cried foul, but to no avail.
D.C. will turn their attention to a Tuesday evening CONCACAF Champions League encounter against Montego Bay United. Columbus will welcome the Portland Timbers next Saturday.
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