Chester,Pa. - Philadelphia Union fell behind early against Columbus Crew, but rallied back to take all three points Wednesday night to the score of 3-2. 15543 were in attendance at Talen Energy Stadium for Wednesday’s match, the last before Major League Soccer’s Copa America Centenario break.
Philadelphia Union open the game aggressively
Philadelphia, playing their third game in seven days, opened up on the front foot by aggressively attacking Columbus’ backline. Led by the returning Vincent Nogueira and attacking midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta, the Blue and Gold pushed the tempo in the first ten minutes in search of an early goal.
However, it would be Columbus who opened up the scoring in the first half. In the 14th minute, Columbus midfielder Ethan Finlay launched a cross towards the center of the box where Union defender Ken Tribbett and Crew forward Ola Kamara awaited. While trying to line up to clear the ball, Tribbett slipped allowing Kamara to volley it past goalkeeper Matt Jones for the 1-0 Crew lead.
Philadelphia Union battle back to tie the game at one
As many times this season, Philadelphia’s mental toughness did not allow the team to falter. Less than ten minutes later, Philadelphia would find their equalizer. In the 21st minute, Sebastien Le Toux switched the field in the offensive half and found Chris Pontius, who did well to trap the ball squarely at his feet. Pontius cut toward the top of the 18-yard box then hit a curling shot that seemingly deflected off another player and into the back of the net for the equalizing goal.
At the half, both teams were tied at one, but that stats pointed toward Philadelphia. In the second half, the scoreline began to show that.
In the 57th minute, Pontius hit a cross into the box, which landed at the feet of Nogueira outside the box. Nogueira hit a low, hard shot back on net, which took a deflection off a Columbus defender and found its way past goalkeeper Steve Clark for the 2-1 Union lead.
Steve Clark hounded by Sons of Ben throughout game
Clark’s bad luck was not just solely on the field. The Sons of Ben in The River End taunted Clark with chants about him being at fault and other not as repeatable throughout the 90 minutes of play.
Former Union forward Conor Casey also made an appearance in the Crew’s loss in the 74th minute. However, his return to the Philadelphia faithful was cut short, when he received a straight red card in his third minute of action after fouling Keegan Rosenberry in the 77th minute. The Talen Energy Stadium serenaded Casey as he walked to the locker with a “Conor Casey” chant.
Up a man for the last ten plus minutes, Philadelphia added an insurance goal when Fabian Herbers embarrassed Michael Parkhurst with a cut and curled a beautiful shot into the top corner. It was Herbers' first goal of his MLS career.
Columbus did add a last minute goal in stoppage time thanks to Cristian Martinez, but it would too little too late as the Crew fell 3-2 to the Union.
After the game, Columbus Head Coach Gregg Berhalter praised Philadelphia’s hunger in saying “I think Philadelphia is a good example of the hunger. If you want to be on top, that’s what you need”.
Philadelphia Union head into break in first place
With the win, Philadelphia sits on top of the Eastern Conference table with 23 points in 14 games, four points front of New York Red Bulls. Columbus now sits on 14 points through 13 games, good for ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Both teams will not be in Major League Soccer Regular Season action until June 18th.
With Wednesday’s victory, The Union continue their undefeated home campaign, five wins and two ties, this season at Talen Energy Stadium. “This place has become a special place to play this year” Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin said as he praised the fans and his team’s play at home this season.