The Columbus Crew finished ahead of the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, but did so by the slimmest of margins.
A questionable penalty call against Philadelphia defender Sheanon Williams helped give the Crew a PK, and Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon looked to save the ensuing penalty only to see it trickle past him and into the net to help give Columbus a 2-1 victory at Crew Stadium on Saturday night.
Philadelphia out-shot Columbus 17-6, and enjoyed a 13-3 corner kick edge, but couldn't convert those advantages into more than just one Velko Paunovic header goal. The Crew opened the scoring on an Emilio Renteria finish off a quality passing sequence and closed the game out when Andres Mendoza converted the penalty earned when Williams was whistled for a handball on a Robbie Rogers cross.
Columbus road its stingy defense yet again to open up a four-point lead atop the Eastern Conference. Despite aforementioned statistical advantages held by the Union, the Crew held the edge in possession and were never really in jeopardy of losing at home.
The loss, coupled with Houston's win against RSL, dropped Philadelphia to third place in the East, and the Union could fall to fourth if Sporting Kansas City beats D.C. United tonight.
Freddy Adu made his second apperance for the Union, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute.
Here are the match highlights.
What did you think of the match? Impressed with Columbus? Wondering if the Union can turn things around and challenge for first place again?
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