[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith Sounders FC pushing for the equalizer, the Black and Gold refused to give more than they could.
After getting shredded by D.C. United last week, the final whistle resulted in three crucial points over one of the Western Conference’s best clubs as Columbus Crew SC took home the victory, 3-2. This was far and away the most open match Crew SC had played and, truthfully, it may have been the most entertaining match across all of MLS so far this season. From the opening whistle, the pace of play was quick and free. It was easy to tell early on that Columbus was upset with their performance in RFK Stadium last week and wanted to make amends. They wasted little time in pushing, with Kei Kamara getting on the scoresheet in the tenth minute off of a beautiful pass by Waylon Francis, who had yet another stellar week at left back.
Seattle wasn’t about to go quietly into the night, though, as the vaunted attack of Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins got their equalizer in the 24th minute when Dempsey took a quick pass from Marco Pappa and made Columbus pay for not closing down on him, curling a gorgeous goal from 25 yards out that is sure to get Goal of the Week consideration.
The next twenty minutes practically flew by as each side traded offensive opportunities, though Columbus was the more dangerous of the sides after having 14 attempts, obliterating their first half total last week. Several opportunities to get the lead back presented themselves, but Crew SC simply couldn’t find the net again and the match went to half time tied at one each.
Whatever Gregg Berhalter’s half time talk was about, it paid off immediately. Federico Higuain, after trading crosses with Hector Jimenez, decided to take a solo run from left of the penalty area, taking it straight down near the 18 yard line and firing a ball through several Seattle defenders to make it 2-1. Replays showed that a channel just opened right up for the Argentine midfielder, who made it look easy.
Just nine minutes later, Kamara would net his brace at the end of a wonderful set of team passing. Justin Meram put a cross in that went to the opposite side of the penalty area to find Jimenez, who one touched it on the ground to a waiting Kamara, who coolly slotted it home for his seventh goal in the first nine matches of the season.
Controversy hit in the 75th minute as Columbus attempted an offside trap on a set piece, but were late on the draw. Obafemi Martins was in an onside position and made an attempt that was saved, but the rebound went straight to Dempsey who picked up his brace to make it 3-2. Upon further review, though, replay showed that the the USMNT Captain was in an offside position and the goal should have been disallowed. Either way, the goal stood much to the chagrin of the home supporters and Crew SC was suddenly in a dogfight.
The Sounders pushed up and had a few late chances, but Columbus would eventually get on the break and earn several late corners that were taken short to eat the clock. Seattle wouldn’t get another good attempt in stoppage time and the Black and Gold had their three points.
With the win, Columbus solidified their spot in the Top 4 in the East, just two points behind RBNY and four points behind D.C. United and New England Revolution. Right now, it would appear that Columbus is in the top echelon of the East with those clubs and are in for a dogfight the rest of the way.
Columbus will have to hit the road again this week for a west coast trip, heading out to Silicon Valley to take on the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium before returning home to face the hated Chicago Fire.
