D.C. United had the home field advantage they so desperately craved for Thursday night’s knockout round game, but fell to the Columbus Crew 3-2 in a penalty shootout. The teams played to a 2-2 stalemate over 120 minutes, in front of a sellout crowd of 20,600 at Audi Field.
Frederic Brillant had United ahead in the first half, but Federico Higuain sent the teams into the locker room tied. After a scoreless second half, Higuain’s header in the 96th minute put Columbus on course for an upset win on the road. However, Nick DeLeon, already in United playoff folklore, smashed home a stunning half volley equalizer in the 116th minute.