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Union fall to Crew, are eliminated from MLS playoffs

It was a span of about five minutes, and it signaled the meaningful end of the Union's season. With the Union holding a 2-0 lead after Andrew Wenger scored in the 75th minute, they were jolted by a three-goal flurry that ensured they would miss the MLS playoffs for the fourth time in their five-year existence.

Philadelphia Union defender Fabinho (33) chases the ball during the first half of the match against the Columbus Crew at PPL Park. (John Geliebter/USA Today)
Philadelphia Union defender Fabinho (33) chases the ball during the first half of the match against the Columbus Crew at PPL Park. (John Geliebter/USA Today)Read more

It was a span of about five minutes, and it signaled the meaningful end of the Union's season.

With the Union holding a 2-0 lead after Andrew Wenger scored in the 75th minute, they were jolted by a three-goal flurry that ensured they would miss the MLS playoffs for the fourth time in their five-year existence.

That display of offense led the Columbus Crew to a 3-2 win over the Union before a stunned crowd of 15,849 at PPL Park.

With the loss and the New York Red Bulls' win over Toronto on Saturday, the Union were eliminated from playoff consideration with two games remaining.

"I still believe you are what your record says you are, and this is what we are, not good enough," said Union interim manager Jim Curtin, whose team is 9-11-12.

The Union have suffered disappointing ties and losses during their five years, and this one will no doubt rank near the top of the list simply because they seemed in control of the game.

Suddenly, the defensive breakdowns were glaring. Ethan Finlay scored on a one-timer in the 78th minute for Columbus' first goal. A minute later it was Justin Meram slicing through three defenders to poke one by Zac MacMath.

And finally another close-in one-timer by Jairo Arrieta in the 82d minute.

"I want to say this is sports, but it is not, this is messing up," Wenger said. "This is bigger than that, and I hope we never have to go through this again."

The Union's Danny Cruz is known as an energy player, and he gave them that and more when replacing Conor Casey in 58th minute.

Cruz opened the scoring on a play set up by Fabinho. The Union defender did a good job all night attacking from the flank and sent a cross that Amobi Okugo back-headed to Cruz, who scored from a few yards out for his third goal of the season in the 68th minute.

"This is an awful feeling, and something I hope nobody forgets," Cruz said.

In the 75th minute, Union midfielder Vincent Nogueira sent a shot that Crew keeper Steve Clark tipped off the far post, and an unmarked Wenger followed up for his seventh goal.

Things looked good at that point, but then the Union collapsed.

"We should have put away the game," midfielder Maurice Edu said. "It is disappointing to lose, especially in the manner that we did."

The inability to put a team away is something that has plagued the Union all season.

"We have lacked [a killer instinct] a lot this year at the end of games," Curtin said. "And it came back to get us again."

@sjnard