Krisztian Nemeth came off the bench to score the decisive goal six minutes from time to lift the Columbus Crew to a 2-1 win and put the Philadelphia Union’s hopes of celebrating a first-ever Supporters' Shield on hold Sunday at MAPFRE Stadium.
The winning goal came from a quick counter with winger Luis Diaz playing a perfect ball to the back post, where Nemeth slid in to score his first goal for the Crew since signing last month in his return to MLS.
Crew goalkeeper Eloy Room made sure the result held up, denying Kacper Przybylko and Jack Elliott with a pair of spectacular saves late.
Artur, who scored just twice in four seasons with Columbus, struck for his second goal in the last four games to put Columbus in front on 37 minutes. The veteran Brazilian defensive midfielder slipped a low shot inside the far post, past a diving Joe Bendik, who started in goal in place of injured Union regular goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Jamiro Monteiro leveled from the penalty spot in the 57th minute after defender Jonathan Mensah tripped Philly forward Sergio Santos in the box.
Both teams exchanged quality chances in the opening 30 minutes of a match that had a playoff-type feel, with snow flurries, stiff winds and frigid temperatures. Gyasi Zardes latched onto a Lucas Zelarayan service, but his diving header just outside the six-yard box skimmed off the crossbar in the 7th minute.
On the other end, Room did well to get a piece of Olivier Mbaizo’s attempt that he parried off the post and out for a Union corner kick after combining well with Elliott and Monteiro.
Goals
- 37’ — CLB — Artur | WATCH
- 57’ — PHI — Jamiro Monteiro (PK) | WATCH
- 84’ — CLB — Krisztian Nemeth | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The Union might still win their first-ever Supporters’ Shield, but they won’t do it in Week 22. And there are real concerns about the severity of Blake’s hand injury after Bendik struggled in his first start in 15 months. For a Crew team that was limping toward the finish line of the regular season, it was a gritty win and one that could well help secure a top four spot in the East and the home playoff game to boot.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It’s got to be the winner by Nemeth, who had just come on for Zardes when he struck for this goal. A few things to note — the Diaz service, Bendik’s position and the run by Nemeth to lose defender Jakob Glesnes
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Room service! The Curacao international might have played his best match in a Columbus uniform. He made eight saves on the day, including 3-4 critical interventions with two coming after Nemeth’s go-ahead goal.
Next Up
- CLB: Wednesday, November 4 at Orlando City SC (7:30 pm ET | TSN3 in Canada; MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US)
- PHI: Sunday, November 8 vs. New England Revolution (3:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; on DAZN in Canada)
