The Precourt Era is underway in Columbus.
For the first time since the sale of the team to Anthony Precourt, the Crew played in front of their home fans and gave them a look at what things would be like under their new owner, taking on the first place New York Red Bulls.
If the match was any indication Columbus has a bright road ahead.
Having struggled for most of the summer not much was expected from the Crew on the night, but a wonderful brace from Federico Higuain was enough to shock the Red Bulls and pull out a much needed victory 2-0.
Earning a penalty in the 66th minute on a questionable call, the captain stepped up to the spot for Columbus and rocketed a shot past the diving goalkeeper for the one goal lead.
Just nine minutes later Higuain scored his second with a cheeky ball over Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles.
Wil Trapp recorded his first career assist when he played the ball forward to Higuain, who caught Robles off his line and chipped the ball into the far corner to make things 2-0.
The Crew continued to play without their No. 1 keeper Andy Gruenebaum, but Matt Lampson made his presence felt with two wonderful diving saves and earned his second shutout this year.
It was the first win for Columbus since July 7 and could not have come any sooner.
Coming into the night on 23 points, 10 out of the fifth playoff position, Columbus needed the win if they hoped to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“We played hard, we scored more on the other team, and we got three points,” Lampson stated.
The Red Bulls, who played without both Tim Cahill and Thierry Henry, fell to second place just a point behind Sporting Kansas City.
Still seven points behind 5th place Houston, Columbus will look to win back-to-back matches August 17 when they play host to Toronto FC.
Subside Sports Man of the Match: Matt Lampson
Although Higuain scored both of the goals for Columbus on the night, they would have meant little if it hadn’t been for the young goalkeeper. A diving save across his body in the 60th minute barely kept the Red Bulls from opening the scoring and another wonderful save in the 74th kept the Crew ahead late in the match.
Honorable mention goes to Wil Trapp who had a quiet but influential game, controlling most of the traffic through the middle of the field, in both directions, and recording his first career assist.
