The Columbus Crew (12-16-5, 41 points) twice battled back from one-goal deficits to equalize in the 71st minute, but pushing forward and in need of a victory and three critical points to keep its postseason aspirations alive, the Black & Gold unfortunately surrendered a 76th-minute goal and fell 3-2 to the New England Revolution (13-11-9, 48 points) on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
With the defeat, the Crew is officially eliminated from MLS Cup Playoffs contention with one match remaining on the campaign. A.J. Soares gave the Revs the early lead in the 32nd minute with as the defender headed home a cross from Kelyn Rowe in the only scoring of the first half. Second-half substitute Aaron Schoenfeld found himself involved in a pair of Crew goals in a 12-minute window. Schoenfeld assisted on Dominic Oduro’s team-leading 13th goal of the season as the Ghanaian set a career-high mark in tallies after blasting a shot in the 59th minute to bring the Crew back on level ground. Following a Chris Tierney penalty kick conversion in the 69th minute, the visitors responded once more as Oduro assisted on Schoenfeld’s first career goal in the 71st minute. Five minutes later, the Revs’ Diego Fagundez would score the game-winning goal.
The two teams complete the home-and-home series next Sunday, October 27 (4:00 p.m. / FOX Sports Ohio) in the Crew’s regular-season finale and FANdemonium at Crew Stadium.
Subside Sports Man of the Match: F Aaron Schoenfeld, Columbus Crew
