By TRAVIS CLARK
Two goals from Steven Lenhart was enough for the Columbus Crew, as the Eastern Conference leaders won on the road 2-1 over the Philadelphia Union.
Lenhart struck first in the 43rd minute, heading home off a Guillermo Barros Schelotto free kick. The Union grabbed one back during injury time, when Frankie Hejduk tripped Sebastian Le Toux in the box. Le Toux dispatched the ensuing penalty.
Just five minutes into the second half, Columbus took the lead again. Crew forward Emilio Renteria, playing in the midfield for the injured Eddie Gaven, sent in a tantalizing cross towards Lenhart, who sprawled out in the box to head past Chris Seitz in the Union goal. The Crew defense held firm in front of a boisterous crowd at PPL Park.
Here are a few other stories for this morning:
MORELIA DROPS HOUSTON IN SUPERLIGA
The Houston Dynamo were thwarted in their attempt to make the SuperLiga final an all-MLS meeting, losing to Mexican club Morelia 1-0 at Robertson Stadium. Miguel Sabah's 47th minute tally was the game's only goal of the evening, as the Dynamo failed to unlock Morelia's defense, who advance to face the New England Revolution in the SuperLiga final. The good news for Houston was the return of Geoff Cameron, who saw 20 minutes as a substitute.
DALLAS TIES INTER 2-2
FC Dallas twice fought back from a one goal deficit, earning a 2-2 tie against Champions League winners Inter Milan Thursday night. Diego Milito gave Inter Milan the lead in the 24th minute, before defender George John equalized off a David Ferreira cross. The Italian club jumped on top once again thanks to a long range effort from Samuel Eto'o. Marco Materazzi's foul on Jeff Cunningham in the box gave Ferreira a chance to equalize from the spot, which he did in the 74th minute. Here are the highlights:
FABREGAS PUBLICLY COMMITS TO ARSENAL
Cesc Fabregas, who returned to Arsenal training yesterday, publicly committed to the club for the first time since the speculation about a move to Barcelona began prior to the start of the 2010 World Cup.
"I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations have ended I will be 100 percent focused on playing for Arsenal," he said in a statement on the club's website. "I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting this speculation behind me."