The Philadelphia Union hosted Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday night as the sun began to set in Chester, Pennsylvania. As a mild, but humid night began so too did the match as the Philadelphia Union took the initial kick off.
Matt Jones received his first start in net, with Andre Blake joining the Jamaican national team in preparation for the Copa America Centenario. Vincent Nogueira rejoined the team after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury.
Tranquillo Barnetta and the Union recorded the first shot of the night. Barnetta’s curling effort was grabbed out of the air by goalkeeper Steve Clark in what was a decent effort given the angle. In the proceeding two minutes both teams could have scored with great crosses by Ethan Finlay and Barnetta on either end. Ola Kamara and CJ Sapong respectively could not connect.
A great pass and run between Barnetta and Le Toux created a great chance for Barnetta, but his shot was too close to Clark as the Crew goalkeeper caught the ball in his basket. Le Toux started the counter in the Union box, and after a few combinations with Barnetta later, found himself in the Columbus box. Barnetta in the end was shepherded wide which made the save for Clark seem easy.
Columbus scored the first goal of the night in the 14th minute. Finlay was able to get past Fabinho on the right hand side, and his pinpoint cross found Ola Kamara in the box and he made no mistake slotting past Jones in goal.
Chris Pontius then scored in the 21st minute to level the game in what was his first real involvement in the game. Le Toux switched the play with a beautiful diagonal ball. Pontius took the ball down with ease as Fabinho made an overlapping run. The movement from the wingback was enough to put off Hector Jimenez who hesitated allowing Pontius to make up his mind. Pontius then cut in and hit a curling effort. His shot should have been saved easily but the shot came off Chad Barson’s head and ricocheted into the back of the net behind the diving Clark, who has been hearing an earful from the Sons of Ben on the River End. The chant, “It’s all Steve’s fault” echoed around the stadium once the dooping settled down.
Sebastein Le Toux almost had a goal of the month nominee when his first timed outside-of-the-foot effort from 23 yards was parried away emphatically by goalkeeper Steve Clark.
A Columbus free kick from 30 yards out almost resulted in another goal. Ken Tribbet initially fouled Justin Meram who was in space in front of the Union box. Meram’s free kick went through the Union wall and fell to Finlay in the box. His deflected shot flew past Jones, but Tribbet was there to clean up. His sliding clearance on the line saved a definite goal.
Barnetta was denied a cheeky chip from 17 yards out by a flying parry from Steve Clark. Barnetta was found after a pulled back cross by Le Toux, and his chip destined for the left side of the net was pawed away.
In another great effort Ola Kamara missed the lead by inches. H was put one on one with Jones, but his outside of the foot shot rolled just past the far post.
After an end-to-end first half the score ended 1-1. The Union saw most of the chances. Columbus has been extremely threatening on the counter, and Tribbet and Marquez have done well to cut out many dangerous attacks. The Union had 11 shots to the Crews’s 6, while the Union had 5 on target to the Crew’s 2. The possession was about 50/50.
The Union scored with yet another deflected effort in the 57th minute. Pontius dummied Jimenez, and was able to get acres of space on the left hand side. His cross looked too deep, but Vincent Nogueira came in on a late run and his first-timed effort hit Waylon Francis on its way into the net.
A failed punch attempt by Jones almost led to the equalizer. A Columbus player came flying in and beat Jones to the ball but his header hit the post and was cleared away shortly after.
By the 72nd minute players were strewn across the field as both physios had to come on and care for the wounded, in the end each player was back on their feet and running shortly thereafter.
In a surprising turn of events Connor Casey received a red card just minutes after coming on to the field. He came in late for a challenge on Rosenberry and was given straight red. Many will feel it was a harsh decision given it was his first challenge and that it wasn’t overly reckless.
The Union punished Columbus in the 85th minute thanks to Fabien Herbers first career goal. He made a run in behind and was slotted in by Ilsinho. He proceeded to cut the ball back and calmly curled the ball into the top right corner giving Clark no chance.
Columbus once again was able to pull one back late in the game. A great cross found Christien Martinez whose powerful header flew past Jones in net. Unfortunately for Columbus in was in the 93rd minute of 5 minutes of stoppage time. The Crew had one last chance, as Finlay beat Tribbet to a header on the top of the box. His flick on nestled into Jones grateful grasp as he took a few seconds to make sure he saw out the end of the game as the Union ended up winners, 3-2.
