First-place Union beat Crew, 3-2
Union coach Jim Curtin had two goals for his team as it headed into a 16-day Copa America break. He wanted to be in first place at this juncture and be undefeated at home.
Union coach Jim Curtin had two goals for his team as it headed into a 16-day Copa America break. He wanted to be in first place at this juncture and be undefeated at home.
Both were accomplished after a 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew in a game that didn't lack offensive chances for both teams Wednesday before 15,543 at Talen Energy Stadium.
The Union are 6-3-5, on top of the Eastern Conference. They are also 3-0-5 in their last eight games, tying the franchise record for longest unbeaten streak, which was set in 2011. They are 5-0-2 at home.
"In any sport you have to win your home games and we haven't done that in the past," Curtin said. "And the mentality and mind-set of the team has shifted and there is a confidence when we play here."
Midfielder Chris Pontius had a goal and an assist in tormenting the Crew for the second time this season. During the Union's 2-1 win at Columbus on March 12, Pontius had both goals.
The Union took a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute when Pontius found Vincent Nogueira with a back pass near the top of the box. Nogueira one-timed it for his second goal.
Former Union forward Connor Casey earned a red card in the 77th minute, and up a man, the Union took a 3-1 lead when Fabian Herbers scored his first MLS goal in the 84th minute. Ilsinho sent Herbers on goal. Inside the box, Herbers lost his defender after cutting the ball back, and then fired a shot from 16 yards that bended inside the far post.
"I have had several chances in other games and got unlucky in other games, and finally, yes, I am very happy about that," Herbers said.
That goal was needed because the Crew scored on Cristian Martinez's header in the second-half stoppage time.
Columbus (3-5-5) opened the scoring when Ola Kamara made a sensational volley of an Ethan Finlay cross near the goal in the 14th minute.
Pontinus tied the score in the 21th minute, buying time with a few dribbles and firing from just outside the box for his fifth goal.
Union defender Ken Tribbett saved a sure goal off the line in the 34th minute, clearing Finlay's shot that had gotten by keeper Matt Jones.
"Ball was near post, my man went far post so the ball is not going to my man, so the first thing I am taught is to cover the goal," Tribbett said. I went back there and was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time."
Just like his team during the first 14 games of a 34-game season.
Union notes
Union center back Joshua Yaro is expected to be sidelined another two to three weeks with a torn right labrum. Yaro suffered the shoulder injury in the first half of the Union's 2-2 draw in Orlando City on May 25. . . . Forward C.J. Sapong, who left the game in the 75th minute, said he tweaked his ankle.
Before the game, Union sporting director Earnie Stewart talked briefly with reporters, stating his dissatisfaction with the field, which hosted the NCAA women's lacrosse championships over the weekend. The groundskeepers had to put some sod down inside a small section of the penalty area of both goals. Stewart said he apologized to his team for the condition of the field. He said his goal was to only have soccer played at the stadium, at least during the season. This weekend the stadium will host the collegiate rugby championships.
"Lacrosse was in our stadium this last Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and it's been difficult for me," Stewart said before the game in an interview with reporters. "I do have to say that [groundskeeper] Johnny Torres with his group did an amazing job to get the field prepped, but still, you can see a couple lines. We had to resod parts of the field and everything."
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