Columbus Crew SC came into their last home match of the season mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Meanwhile, Philadelphia were playing for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The motivations of both teams were very different for this Sunday clash.
The match got off to a slow start as the first half was goalless and the Union did not muster a single shot on target. Columbus had a few decent opportunities as Luis Diaz and Pedro Santos kickstarted most of the Crew’s dangerous attacks.
Come halftime, it was clear the team that had more to play for was the Union as the New England Revolution were 2-0 up to first-place New York City FC. At this stage, winning the match would give Philadelphia the chance to get the top spot in the Eastern Conference in their next match against NYCFC to end the regular season.
In the second half the pace picked up as Jamiro Monteiro put a shot in the six high off a cross from substitute Ilsinho. In the 69th minute, Youness Mokhtar broke the deadlock and scored his first-ever MLS goal and first goal for Columbus.
Santos kept the momentum going for the Crew as he volleyed in a shot at the top of the box off a corner to make it 2-0 to Columbus.
The match ended 2-0 as Eloy Room got his first shutout as Crew SC goalkeeper and Columbus got their first shutout since July 13th against Orlando City.
“I felt like we completely shut out their attack,” said Crew SC head coach Caleb Porter as he was pleased with the defensive effort of his side.
“It was an up and down season and they supported us through it all,” said Mokhtar as he felt the fans deserved to see their team pull of the victory in the last home match of the season.
Now, instead of playing for the top spot in the East next week, the Union will be looking to take the second-place spot back from Atlanta as they play the conference’s top team.
“If you look at the last stretch of games, there have been a lot of positives. A lot of great results,” reflected Porter on the season. “We’re gonna keep getting better. We’ll keep adding pieces.”
Given the circumstances, Columbus put in a good shift as they end their season of rebuilding in style getting the franchise’s 200th ever home victory. The Crew have one more match as they will play rivals Toronto FC next Sunday at 4:00 pm at BMO Field. On October 10, Columbus will break ground on their new stadium.
