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Philadelphia Union to get stiff test from streaking Columbus Crew at PPL Park

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to find inspiration. Right now, the Columbus Crew have both and it’s paying dividends.

The Union edged the Columbus Crew, 1-0, when they met at PPL Park earlier this season. (Tom Mihalek/AP file photo)
The Union edged the Columbus Crew, 1-0, when they met at PPL Park earlier this season. (Tom Mihalek/AP file photo)Read more

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to find inspiration.

Right now, the Columbus Crew have both, and it's paying dividends.

When the Crew visit PPL Park for the second time this season, they'll be a much different squad than the one the Union defeated 1-0 on April 14.

Since then, the club suffered a painful tragedy with the passing of rookie midfielder Kirk Urso, but gained a goal-scoring guru in Argentine forward Federico Higuain. Columbus' latest designated player signing - he's the brother of famed Real Madrid and Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain - has been on a tear of late.

Federico finished last week with three goals and an assist, leading the Crew to wins over Toronto FC (2-1) and New England (4-3). That earned him Player of the Week honors in a vote of media across the league.

"I think [the Crew] are in fantastic form right now," Union manager John Hackworth said. "Any goalscorer like that, when you are hot, you are hot."

That goes not just for Higuain, but for fellow forward Jairo Arrieta. A native of Costa Rica, Arrieta has five goals on the season - including three since Higuain was acquired on July 27.

Hackworth is certainly wary of that firepower.

"We have to play solid defensively and try to limit their chances," he said. "We have a gameplan going into tomorrow, and I am confident the players understand. [There's] no question we are going up against a hot team right now, and we have to recognize that."

Higuain is a free kick specialist. Two of his three recent goals came from set pieces. That has helped the Crew steadily climb the MLS standings in search of a playoff spot.

Currently, Columbus sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, with 36 points from 24 games played. The Crew are four points shy of D.C. United for the last playoff spot, with a game in hand onUnited and four games on sixth-place Montréal (12-13-3, 39 points).

Though the circumstances are less than ideal, Hackworth believes that Urso's passing has brought a newfound energy to the Crew locker room.

"I am sure they are fighting (for the playoffs) with Kirk's memory with them," Hackworth said. "He inspired people and always forced the best out of everyone... They are coming together and they are uniting, and I expect that."

As for what Hackworth expects from his own club?

"Getting three points at home and stealing three points from our opponents makes it a six point swing," he said. "That's how we are viewing this game and every game from here on out. Right now we still believe that we can pull off something special here."

What: Coluumbus (10-8-6, 36 points) at Union (7-12-4, 25 points)
When: Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Where: PPL Park, Chester
TV: The Comcast Network
Radio: WIP (610-AM) with hosts Tony Limarzi (play-by-play) and Peter Pappas (color)

Union at home: 5-5-2
Columbus on the road: 3-5-4
Last time out: The Union battled to a 1-0 win after Gabriel Gómez converted a first half penalty kick in the 37th minute that would stand (April 14).

Columbus Crew

Out: GK William Hesmer (right hip surgery); D Carlos Mendes (right hamstring strain); M Bernardo Anor (left knee ACL tear); F Tommy Heinemann (left knee surgery)
Doutbful: GK Andy Gruenebaum (low back strain); D Rich Balchan (sports hernia rehab)
Questionable: M Milovan Mirosevic (R ankle inflammation); MF Danny O'Rourke (L ankle sprain)

Philadelphia Union

Out: F Krystian Witkowski (concussion symptoms)
QUestionable: D Chris Albright (left groin strain); D Bakary Soumaré (right knee inflammation)

Contact Kerith Gabriel at gabrielk@phillynews.com . Follow him on Twitter @sprtswtr .