The Philadelphia Union traveled to Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio to take on the Columbus Crew on Wednesday night. The Union came into the game looking for the season sweep of Columbus for the first ever time while Columbus were looking to claw their way closer to a playoff spot.
Philadelphia press early and often
Philadelphia made good of their chances early on as a combination of their pressing and some lackadaisical back passes which saw Tranquillo Barnetta with plenty of space to shoot, but the Swiss international could quite keep his shot down as it sailed above the bar in the second minute of play.
Columbus struggled to pass their way out of their own half, instead opting to hit it long but much to his chagrin, Nicolai Naess' efforts failed to find a yellow jersey as Philadelphia regained possession and continued their assault on Columbus' goal.
Columbus regain composure
Despite a poor start, Columbus would pin Philadelphia back enough to earn several corners and going both short and long, but failing to make an impact with them until a fast break saw Justin Meram get into a good position on the wing; however, Andre Blake would show his class in the 15th minute, saving a diving header from Ola Kamara to keep things level.
Further heroics were necessary 19th minute in when Ola Kamara was found in the box before turning and shooting but Joshua Yaro put his body on the line to block the shot and keep Kamara's effort away from goal.
Meram would again be the danger man for Columbus in the 22nd minute, turning away from Keegan Rosenberry and finding space to shoot from distance, but the Iraq international's shot went well wide of goal.
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Philadelphia push back
Keegan Rosenberry showed why he's a favorite to win Rookie of the Year, jetting down the right side, overlapping with Fabian Herbers, and sending in a cross but designated player, Alejandro Bedoya's header didn't quite have enough power on it as Steve Clark caught it with ease.
Columbus would reply, finding Ola Kamara on the fast break but Joshua Yaro would do well to cover the space and Kamara hit the bouncing ball wide of the net.
It would be Rosenberry with the service one again the 31st minute, this time sending in a low cross to the feet of Fabian Herbers, but Steve Clark was one again up to the challenge.
Momentum shifts late in the first
Columbus continued to lack end product on set pieces 35 minutes in when Federico Higuain's effort from distance sailed past the heads of several Crew players before going out for a goal kick.
The Crew would find joy down the Union's right side with Hector Jimenez pushing up the field and combining with Kamara but despite their creative efforts in the 42nd minute, the resulting combination would see Ethan Finlay wind up in an excellent position in front of goal but offside as the first half ended level pegging.
Second half pain
The second half began again with Columbus in the driver's seat as they began to find their rhythm but Andre Blake would be central to stopping them, colliding with and later saving shots from Ola Kamara in the 50th minute, the second collision in just three minutes.
Philadelphia responded well, creating chances through a free kick and corner from Tranquillo Barnetta 52 minutes in, but like their opponents on the night, they failed to capitalize on their set piece chances.
Higuain had possibly the best chance of the match, attempting to chip Blake on the edge of the box in the 56th minute but his effort was high despite being in acres of space
The dam begins to burst
Traditionally a super sub, Fabian Herbers staked his claim for remaining in the starting lineup rifling home Chris Pontius' shot on the second effort putting Philadelphia ahead in an unconventional manner.
Columbus would have been celebrating an equalizer soon after if not for the reflexes of Andre Blake who remained looking like a brick wall in goal despite a lapse in concentration from the Union defense.
C.J. Sapong then came inches wide of adding a second goal, cutting from the right wing in the 67th minute but the former Sporting Kansas City man's shot dragged inches wide of goal as the Union continued to pile on the pressure.
The Union though they'd endured an attacking wave from hosts, Columbus but in a bizarre incident of skeptical refereeing, a goal was given when the ball was thought to cross the line following a Federico Higuain "Olympico" corner kick.
Philadelphia would, however, roar back within moments in true Union fashion, as a one-two pass from Barnetta saw rookie Keegan Rosenberry slot past Steve Clark to put the Union back in the lead.
Columbus would not be silenced, with dangerman Meram forcing yet another save from Andre Blake in the 78th minute as time began to run out for the Crew.
Roland Alberg did his part defensively as the Dutch substitute put his body on the line to preserve the lead in the 83rd minute, blocking the shot of attacking right back, Harrison Afful.
Philadelphia could have put the final nail in the coffin for Columbus just five minutes from time when some combination play saw Roland Alberg play Barnetta into the box but Steve Clark was alert to the threat and collected the ball before Barnetta could get a shot off. The Union would nearly live to regret it, however, if not for two excellent late saves from Blake to assure the three points for Philadelphia, completing the season sweep of Columbus for the first time ever, and drawing level with the New York Red Bulls for third place in the East.