Dominic Oduro scored his second goal of the season, but the team's late flurry of chances fell short as the Columbus Crew had to settle for a 1-1 tie with the Philadelphia Union.
Philadelphia took advantage of a defensive breakdown in the 34th minute to open the scoring. The Union broke the Crew's offside trap through a cheeky backheel from Conor Casey to Danny Cruz, leaving the Union with a three-on-one with Andy Gruenebaum. Cruz drew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum out of position before passing centrally for Jack McInerney to tap home into the empty net.
Columbus improved in the second half after Jairo Arrieta replaced Agustin Viana, leaving the Crew with a single holding midfielder for the first time this season. The more traditional diamond midfield - with Federico Higuain playing behind the forward duo of Arrieta and Dominic Oduro - allowed the Crew to create more offensive pressure throughout the second half.
That pressure produced the game's tying goal in the 72nd minute. Eddie Gaven threaded a pass into the right channel, met by the inside-out run of Dominic Oduro. Oduro reached the end line, carrying the ball toward the near post before catching Zac MacMath leaning with a thunderous blast to the near post.
Columbus continued to pressure for a winning goal, but were unable to produce a game-winning tally. Their best chance came in the 82nd minute as Josh Williams looped a headed shot off the crossbar. Jairo Arrieta collected the loose ball and tried to turn for a shot, but went down in the penalty area with no call from referee Matthew Foerster.
The end of the game degenerated into a chippy affair, with four players earning yellow cards in the game's closing minutes.
What it means
The result leaves the Crew with nine points after five games, including two home draws to start the season. The team sits three points behind conference-leading Montreal as the team prepares to head to Quebec next weekend.
Philadelphia holds eight points from six games played, a point behind Columbus in fifth place.
Up next
Columbus will play their next two games on the road, with visits to Montreal and Chicago the next two weekends. Their subsequent two games will be at home against DC and New York.
Philadelphia returns home next Saturday to host Toronto before returning to the road for visits to DC and New England.
Timeline of events
3' Corner kick, Philadelphia (left side, headed out for a second corner)
4' Corner kick, Philadelphia (left side, headed shot wide of far post)
34' 0-1 Jack McInerney (Danny Cruz)
45' Jairo Arrieta replaces Agustin Viana
48' Corner kick, Columbus (left side, bouncing shot from Oduro saved)
51' Corner kick, Philadelphia (right side, shot from Okugo over the crossbar)
62' Sebastien Le Toux replaces Conor Casey
66' Michael Lahoud replaces Danny Cruz
70' Caution, Keon Daniel (handball)
72' 1-1 Dominic Oduro (Eddie Gaven)
76' Matias Sanchez replaces Danny O'Rourke
77' Caution, Tyson Wahl (rough tackle on Michael Lahoud)
78' Antoine Hoppenot replaces Gabriel Farfan
83' Corner kick, Philadelphia (right side, headed off target)
84' Caution, Sheanon Williams (tackle from behind on Ben Speas)
85' Ethan Finlay replaces Ben Speas
86' Caution, Federico Higuain
90' Corner kick, Philadelphia (right side, headed out)
91+' Caution, Matias Sanchez (professional foul on Michael Lahoud)
93+' Caution, Glauber (professional foul on Antoine Hoppenot)
94+' Corner kick, Philadelphia (left side, headed clear)
Lineups
Columbus Crew
Andy Gruenebaum, Josh Williams, Chad Marshall, Glauber, Tyson Wahl, Danny O'Rourke (Matias Sanchez 76'), Agustin Viana (Jairo Arrieta 45'), Eddie Gaven, Ben Speas (Ethan Finlay 85'), Federico Higuain, Dominic Oduro
Unused subs
Matt Lampson, Chad Barson, Kevan George, Ryan Finley
Philadelphia Union
Zac MacMath, Raymon Gaddis, Jeff Parke, Amobi Okugo, Sheanon Williams, Brian Carroll, Danny Cruz (Michael Lahoud 66'), Keon Daniel, Gabriel Farfan (Antoine Hoppenot 78'), Jack McInerney, Conor Casey (Sebastien Le Toux 62')
Unused subs
Chris Konopka, Roger Torres, Kleberson, Leonardo Fernandes,
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