The Columbus Crew came from behind to defeat the Montreal Impact 2-1, in stoppage time, on Saturday night at Crew Stadium. After going down a goal thanks to Montreal’s Marco Di Vaio, the Black & Gold responded with goals by Chad Marshall and Emilio Renteria. Designated Player Federico Higuaín continued to impress assisting on both goals.
After a scoreless first half that saw both back lines defend very well, the pace picked up in the second with the Crew on the offensive.
In the 47th minute, Nemanja Vukovic blasted a shot to the far post, but Impact goalkeeper Troy Perkins extended himself to deflect the ball into corner. On the ensuing corner kick, Federico Higuaín found Eddie Gaven’s head but the ball sailed into Perkins’ arms. Perkins would save another chance two minutes later after Gaven received a low cross from Higuaín and shot it straight at the Smithfield, Ohio native.
Montreal responded in the 53rd minute with a shot from the top of the box by Felipe Martins, but Crew ‘keeper Andy Gruenebaum deftly saved the ball.
The first goal of the night came twenty minutes later when Sanna Nyassi beat his defenders and brought the ball into the box. The Gambian international crossed it to an oncoming Martins who laid it off to Di Vaio as Vukovic was sliding in. The Italian Designated Player then chipped it over Gruenebaum, giving Montreal the 1-0 lead.
As the match was about to enter its final ten minutes, Justin Meram was brought down 40 yards from Montreal’s goal by Lamar Neagle and referee Chris Penso awarded the Crew a free kick. Higuaín set up to take the kick and found Marshall, as the Black & Gold captain split Impact defenders Matteo Ferrari and Nelson Rivas to head the ball over Perkins for the 1-1 draw.
With both teams getting ready to call it a draw, the Crew would find itself with its second stoppage time goal in as many games. In the 93rd minute, Higuaín brought the ball down the left side and, as he beat Impact defender Alessandro Nesta, he crossed it into the box finding Renteria who leaped up to head it far post, beating Perkins and giving the Crew its fourth consecutive win
The Crew is now 12-8-6 on the season and 8-3-2 at home. With the win the Crew is now back in playoff contention, tied for third in the Eastern Conference, as it awaits a late result from the Salt Lake – D.C. match as well as Sunday’s tilt between Houston and Chicago.
The Crew has gone 4-0-2 in the last six games since starting its busy stretch on August 15 with a 1-1 draw against L.A.
The Crew closes out its seven games in 21 days stretch on Wednesday, Sept. 5, as it travels to Foxborough, Mass. to face the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium at 8 p.m.
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