Wednesday night, the Columbus Crew drew Crystal Palace 2-2 in a friendly. Although it seemed to be a pickup game, it was also a debut for players who haven't seen first team action before for both sides. With unlimited substitutions, coaches Tony Pulis and Gregg Berhalter used them to their advantage.
The first half kicked off and the game was underway. Columbus quickly had the advantage when 6' 7" forward Adam Bedell headed in a cross and put his team in the lead about 16 minutes in. With the lead holding, Columbus was hungry for more goals. Though they had every chance, they couldn't capitalize. There were some close ones, but none that pleased the 10,011 spectators that were there. As the game neared halftime, Crystal Palace found an equalizer at the 40th minute. It was evident that most people may have under estimated them. 1-1 was the score line as the game went into halftime.
As the second half rolled along, both sides decided to use their unlimited subs. Columbus swapped out an estimated 7 players, while Crystal Palace swapped out about 4 to start with, but later added more later on in the second half.
Crystal Palace had a chance cleared off the line by Ben Speas when Columbus goalkeeper Matt Lampson was drawn off his line during a corner kick. But later on, the Eagle's soon pulled ahead as the ball was fumbled in the box by Lampson and was then tucked home by Palace to take the lead. With Columbus players questioning the call, and an irate Matt Lampson, the referee allowed the goal and resumed play. Columbus found the light and tied the game up 2-2 with a little over ten minutes left to play in the game. The final whistle blew and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Crystal Palace will head to Philadelphia, and then Richmond to conclude their US tour before returning to London to start their Premiere League campaign. Columbus will resume MLS play against the New England Revolution Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.