Crew Eliminate Union

(Photo: Goal.com)

The Philadelphia Union loss 3-2 to the Columbus Crew and are now mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. This is one of the toughest losses dealt to the Union all season. With questionable calls by the refs the Union saw themselves on the short end of the stick. Not to mention the Union were without Adu who believe it or not has been playing better in the last few games.


Jairo Arrieta netted a first half brace putting the Union down two nil. The first half was rather gruesome for the Union. They looked stagnate and just disinterested in the game. The Union found themselves unable to answer anything the Crew threw at them. Various player scuffles broke out and the Union looked a train wreck.

The hapless Union were able to bounce back and launch an attack. In the 65th minute the Union drew a PK that was converted by Danny Cruz. They continued battling and were able to create a few chances. Roger Torres staked his claim for more playing time by being inserted in the game at 80th minute and almost instantly creating opportunities. He served up a ball that landed perfectly to Jack Mac as he slotted it home in the 86th minute. Although the game was tied in the 86th minute, the Union were unable to defend as Columbus marched right down the pitch and scored a winner.

I am the biggest optimist but I strongly believe that the Union did not deserve this game but still should have won it. After playing a flat 45 minutes they battled back knotted it up 2-2. The ref seemingly let a fairly obvious PK slide that would have given the Union the lead. In return the goal the Crew scored to win it seemed offside. It is a sad expectancy that the refs in the MLS will always let you down. It has plagued the league for far too long.

The Union are now eliminated with 5 games left. The premature elimination now raises a number of questions about management, player personnel, and where the team is headed in the future. Those issues will be addressed in a post coming up.