The Columbus Crew defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-2 on Saturday night at Crew Stadium. Jairo Arrieta put the Black & Gold on top with a first-half brace and Milovan Mirosevic notched the late game-winner.
Sebastian Miranda and Andy Gruenebaum assisted on Arrieta’s goals, with the Crew netminder recording his first career assist, and Josh Williams assisted on Mirosevic’s tally. Danny Cruz and Jack McInerney scored for the visitors.
With a playoff spot on the line, the Black & Gold came out swinging early on, with attempts by Arrieta and Mirosevic off target in the first ten minutes of the match. The first clear chance for the Crew came in the 20th minute when Eddie Gaven picked up a ball in the home side of the field and carried it all the way into the visitors’ box, shooting it straight at Union ‘keeper Zac MacMath.
10 minutes later Chris Birchall took a right-footed blast, but the Union defenders easily deflected his shot.
The Black & Gold drew first blood in the 44th minute when Arrieta finished a long ball by Miranda, chesting it down and sending it near-post in the bottom left corner of the net.
Arrieta doubled up in the final moments of the first half as he received a punt from Gruenebaum, running around two Union defenders and sending it far post for the 2-0 lead.
The second half began with Philadelphia on the offensive, trying to come back from a two-goal deficit. Cruz almost pulled one back in the 49th minute but his shot sailed high above the crossbar.
In the 64th minute, Gruenebaum fouled Union substitute Antoine Hoppenot in the box and referee Matthew Foerster quickly pointed at the spot awarding the visitors a penalty kick. A minute later Cruz coolly took the shot sending the ball to Gruenebaum’s right.
Philadelphia drew level in the 86th minute when Roger Torres flicked a ball into the box finding McInerney who volleyed it over Gruenebaum and into the back of the net.
The Crew did not let up and a minute later found the game-winner with Mirosevic who played a one-two ball with Federico Higuaín that got deflected by the Union’s defense. Williams slid it back to the Chilean who took a well placed right-footed strike to give the Black & Gold the much needed three points.
The Crew is now 14-11-6 on the season and 10-3-2 at home. With the win, the Black & Gold extended its home unbeaten streak to seven.
The Crew currently sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings one point behind the Houston Dynamo who defeated New England 1-0 on Saturday night.
Philadelphia was officially eliminated from the playoffs with the loss.
The Crew continues its two-game home-stand on Sunday, October 7, as it hosts Sporting KC at 4 p.m. at Crew Stadium.
About Marion Online Sports
