Columbus Crew SC got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win against the Philadelphia Union on a balmy, fanless MAPFRE Stadium. Lucas Zelarayan’s second half strike was the difference in the defensive battle between two teams toward the top of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.
The early moments of the game were a defensive struggle. The visiting Union aggressively pressured the Crew, harrying every pass. Columbus was clearly uncomfortable early and unable to connect passes cleanly. Philadelphia had the best chance during the incipient period of the game, a long-range Alejandro Bedoya shot that forced an Eloy Room save.