The Columbus Crew spent half the season struggling to generate goals as their defense and goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum kept the team afloat, but times have changed in Columbus thanks to the team's newest attacking acquisitions.
Costa Rican striker Jairo Arrieta and Argentine midfielder Federico Higuain scored two goals apiece, including two Higuain set piece strikes and Arrieta's game-winner to erase an early two-goal deficit and lift the Crew to a 4-3 victory against the New England Revolution at Crew Stadium on Saturday night.
New England jumped out to a fast start in Columbus, taking a 2-0 lead on goals from Ryan Guy and Jerry Bengtson, but the Crew responded just three minutes later when Higuain struck the first of two free kick goals before halftime. Those strikes, and Arrieta's first of the night, gave the Crew a 4-2 halftime lead.
The Revs looked like they would be able snatch a road point when Lee Nguyen scored in the 81st minute, but Arrieta came through again in the 86th minute with the game-winning strike.
Here are the match highlights:
What did you think of the match? See the Crew making the playoffs with Higuain and Arrieta leading the attack? Starting to wonder if the Revs made a mistake trading Shalrie Joseph?
Share your thoughts below.