The Philadelphia Union came into tonight’s game after a poor start to the season, recording only a single victory in their opening eight games. And with never having recorded a victory in Columbus, Philadelphia never looked like breaking that record with Columbus Crew SC running out comfortable winners 4-1.
Crew SC started the game slowly allowing Philadelphia to have some promising possession, but that ended on 21 minutes with Kei Kamara scoring his 5th goal of the season. After winning back possession Tony Tchani found the onrushing Finlay and his far post cross found the unmarked Kamara, who brought down the ball and beat John McCarthy at his near post.
As the half continued Crew SC were looking more dangerous and extended their lead to 2-0 in the 32nd. Waylon Francis, who was high up the field, delivered a cross that the onrushing Ethan Finlay slotted home from eight yards, opening his account for the season.
The game was over as a contest just before half time when a Emanuel Pogatetz long ball found Justin Merman on the left. Meram then bundled past two defenders into the area and his shot beat McCarthy, who got a weak hand to the ball. McCarthy, in only his fourth start in MLS, was having a night to forget and should have done better with two of the goals.
After the break Philadelphia’s performance improved and they were rewarded on 64 minutes when C.J. Sapong was allowed time to cross from the left. 18-year-old Eric Ayuk meet the ball with a powerful header that gave Steve Clark no chance and even better than the goal was the celebration of back flips and somersaults for his first goal in MLS.
The Black & Gold upped their game after conceding and in the 73rd minute scored their fourth after a nice pass from Kamara set Finlay off on a foot race against Fabinho who could not keep pace and Finlay’s clinically dispatched a shot across goal into the far corner, recording his ninth goal in his last 20 games.
The Crew will be happy to take a comfortable three points tonight, with a couple of tough games coming up in the next two weeks to both of last year’s conference champions D.C. United and Seattle Sounders.
