The Montreal Impact took a 1-0 lead on the Columbus Crew in their important Eastern Conference clash on Saturday, but in a scene that Crew fans have become all too familiar with in recent weeks, Federico Higuain drove the Columbus attack to a victory.
Emilio Renteria headed home a Higuain cross in second-half stoppage time to lift the Crew to a 2-1 victory at Crew Stadium on Saturday night. Columbus battled back from a deficit for the second straight match as Higuain played the role of provider yet again, setting up Chad Marshall's equalizer before picking out Renteria with a perfect cross that pushed the Crew into a playoff spot.
The loss snapped Montreal's five match winning streak and helped Columbus jump three points ahead of Montreal, and a point ahead of D.C. United and the Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Montreal looked capable of making it six straight wins when Felipe set up a Marco DiVaio goal in the 73rd minute, but the Crew responded just seven minutes later when Higuain floated a long free kick into the penalty area, where Chad Marshall powered it home to tie things up.
Renteria came off the bench in the 78th minute and headed home the winner in the 92nd minute when he flicked a Higuain cross past Troy Perkins to help deliver the Crew's fourth straight victory.
Here are the match highlights:
What did you think of the match? Impressed with Higuain's impact on the Crew? See Montreal recovering and making the playoffs?
Share your thoughts below.
Higuain getting deserved props, but I think Arrieta was also a savvy pick-up and prove a solid pick-up for the Crew.
Higuain !
The man can ball.
The Crew haven’t even been playing that well, but Freddie is pulling rabbits out of his hat.
You’re right, he would be much more deserving if only he had started the year in MLS, been traded twice, and followed that up by not leading his team to the playoffs.
Maybe we can agree to give the MVP to Wondo and transfer DeRo’s MVP (aka life time achievement award) from last year to Higuain?
MVP? No, it wouldn’t be right to give it to a mid-season signing. But Newcomer of the Year? I’d say he could be in the running for that award.
Higuain is the league MVP.