The Crew SC came out aggressive and with energy like they always have this season. Plenty of missed opportunities in the first half for the Crew SC to score, but the likes of Ola Kamara and Ethan Findlay could not capitalize on the opportunities given to them. Kamara had a chance for a header of a corner kick and Findlay hit the post from close range. The Crew SC would rattle off 7 shots and putting only one of those on goal.
In the 41’ however, NYCFC midfielder Frank Lampard would score off a deflected free kick from Andrea Pirlo to put NYCFC up 1-0 by the end of the first half. Although down going into the intermission, Columbus had a very good first half and merely had a bit of misfortune go their way simply due to the luck of the bounce.
Also, good defense pressure by the Crew SC and to have Federico Higuain contributing as a facilitator is what we would have like to have seen all season, but as we know injuries occurred and bad locker room mojo stopped that from happening.
In the second half of match play, and very uncharacteristic of the Crew SC this season, they came out of the locker room at halftime with energy and determination that translated into an early second half (49’) goal from Justin Meram, his third of the season. Waylon Francis and Will Trapp would record the assists.
And with nothing coming easy at home this season and very few things going the Crew SC’s way, Ethan Findlay would earn a penalty kick at the 80’. Findlay would convert to put Columbus up 2-1 with 10 minutes left in regulation time. Things for once were looking up for the Crew SC until late goal doom found Columbus again.
Because of their lack of attacking pressure after the PK, NYCFC would take the lead away in the blink of an eye thanks to a goal from forward David Villa in the 83’, assisted by Andrea Pirlo.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, David Villa would draw a penalty kick during stoppage time and convert his second goal of the night to give NYCFC the 3-2 lead…
But for a wacky finish, the Crew SC would answer back in the fleeting minutes of the match Ethan Findlay would stay on top of a deflected shot from Ola Kamara, and burry his second goal of the match and tying the game 3-3.
It was typical “right place, right time”. The game would end in a sixth consecutive tie at home. This tie however was one of the more dramatic finishes this season.
It was a fascinating match, but even with the way the season has gone, this tie was mildly disappointing. When you score 3 goals, you usually have a good chance to win the match.
Defensively the Crew SC needs improvement. But all in all I was happy with the way Columbus did not give up and played hard till the final whistle blew.
If the Crew SC plays the way they did against NYCFC the rest of the way, they could possibly make a run at the final playoff spot in the East, but it is a long shot if we’re going to be completely honest.
The Crew SC now has an overall record of 3 wins, 8 losses, and 11 draws. Next up for the Crew SC is a match against the New England Revolution in Gillette Stadium on Saturday, August 20th, at 7:30 PM ET.
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