After a week off from MLS play, the Columbus Crew went down to Orlando, Florida in a crucial Eastern Conference battle. Despite taking a dominant 3-1 lead on the road, the Crew allowed late goals once again, losing 4-3 in second half stoppage time.

Columbus was able to get on the board early in the first half, just 16 minutes into the game when midfielder Alexandru Matan lobbed a ball over the Orlando City defense for forward Cucho Hernandez. The Colombian forward drew Pedro Gallese off his line, chipping the Peruvian netminder to the back post. To ensure the goal, newcomer Julian Gressel tapped in the lofted ball into the back of the net to get his first goal for the Crew.

The first half of the game saw both sides engaged in a battle for control in the midfield. Columbus Crew’s high-pressing and well-organized defense kept Orlando City at bay, but the heads-up work by Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte kept the Lions off the scoreboard with two point-blank saves. However, Gallese proved equally resolute, thwarting the Crew’s attacking efforts for a second goal.

The second half began with an increased sense of urgency from both teams. Playing in front of their passionate home crowd, Orlando City upped their attacking tempo.

It proved best in their favor in the 48th minute when the Lions found the equalizer early on through Martin Ojeda, who was on the end of a pass through the 18-yard box.

But, Columbus, who became stingy after the Orlando equalizer, found their go-ahead through Diego Rossi. Yaw Yeboah, who held the ball at the top of the penalty box, slipped through to Rossi, who put it low past Gallese for his 50th career MLS goal.

The Crew wasn’t done, however.

In the 68th minute, Matan received a pass that saw him in on goal. The Romanian midfielder dribbled into the box and slid a ball forward to Hernandez, who placed it comfortably into the back of the net to make it 3-1 for the visitors.

But the Lions didn’t give up.

Just minutes after Hernandez gave Columbus a 3-1 lead, Facundo Torres dribbled through two Crew defenders and fired his shot past Schulte to cut the deficit to 3-2.

It wasn’t until the 85th minute that things got even more intense when a set piece for Orlando saw Yehven Cheberko head the lofted ball back into a crowd of Orlando City players, which saw Ramiro Enrique slot the loose ball past Schulte, bringing the score level to 3-3.

A mental collapse for the Crew in the second half came at the hands of Orlando City. The Lions were awarded a free kick in the last seconds of second half stoppage time, and Enrique found himself alone in the 18-yard box to complete the comeback, giving Orlando City a 4-3 win.

Crew collapse

Up 3-1, the Columbus Crew had everything going for the team. But it wasn’t until the defense made errors on defending set pieces which saw themselves at the hands of defeat to lose 4-3.

Rossi nets 50th

Diego Rossi scored his 50th career MLS goal, giving the Crew a 2-1 lead in the second half. Rossi, who formerly played for LAFC before making a move to Turkey, scored 48 goals for the Western Conference Black & Gold team.

What’s next

Columbus Crew are back at home Wednesday against the Chicago Fire. Kickoff from Lower.com Field is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.