First Half Review
The Crew took a deserved 1-0 lead into halftime after controlling much of the opening 45 minutes against a disjointed Philadelphia Union side at Subaru Park. The warning signs appeared early for the Union when Bender picked up a yellow card in the ninth minute. Columbus immediately capitalized on the resulting set piece opportunity. André Gomes whipped a dangerous ball into the box that eventually fell to Hugo Picard at the top of the area, and the winger lofted his shot into the far corner in the 10th minute that left Blake with little chance. Once again, Philadelphia’s defending left plenty to be desired, and the sequence stemmed directly from Bender’s foul.Second Half Review
Carnell looked for a spark at the start of the second half, bringing on Agustín Anello for a limping Lukić as the Union searched for a way back into the match.
Philadelphia opened the half with one of its better stretches of possession, holding the ball for nearly 90 seconds before Harriel eventually sent a harmless cross into the arms of Schulte. Moments later, Iloski delivered a dangerous free kick into the box, but no Union player attacked the service, leaving the foeward visibly frustrated as he threw his arms into the air in disgust.
The Union finally tested Schulte in the 57th minute when Cavan Sullivan unleashed a shot from roughly 30 yards out, forcing the Columbus goalkeeper into his first real save of the night. Shortly after, Schulte was forced far off his line to clear another dangerous ball. Iloski went to take the resulting throw and slammed the ball down in frustration with no teammate available for an outlet.
Physical play and questionable officiating continued to define the night. In the 61st minute, Bangoura leveled Sullivan with what looked like a clothesline challenge and once again escaped punishment, prompting animated complaints from Carnell toward the fourth official.
Carnell made another attacking change in the 65th minute, replacing Damiani with Ezekiel Alladoh. Columbus answered with a double substitution of its own a minute later as Mohamed Farsi made way for Andrés Herrera while André Gomes was replaced by Dylan Chambost.
The Union’s persistence finally paid off in the 70th minute. Bender delivered a quality ball that found Anello in space, and the substitute quickly squared it across goal for Iloski, who calmly finished to level the match at 1-1.