After playing to a 2-2 draw back in May, the Columbus Crew hosted the Philadelphia Union at Lower.com Field Sunday evening for Sunday Night Soccer. Fresh off a 3-1 victory over Atlanta United last Wednesday, the Crew looked to continue their impressive form against the league leaders. However, the Union looked to improve their positioning in the Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference standings.

An uneventful first half saw referee Filip Dujic produce three yellow cards within the first 35 minutes to the visiting side. Alejandro Bedoya got the first just nine seconds into the match. Lassi Lappalainen got around Bedoya with speed before being pulled back by his jersey top, giving Columbus a free kick from the left flank. Jesus Bueno got his yellow for delaying the restart after a foul was whistled in the 32nd minute, and Jovan Lukic put in a hard challenge on Mohamed Farsi in the 35th minute to gain their respective cautions.

Columbus continued to press like always, with it paying off in first half stoppage time.

Amar Sejdic found Lappalainen making a run down the left wing with a perfectly placed through ball to the Finnish winger. Lappalainen whipped a low driven pass into the 18-yard box to the back post, which met a streaking Farsi, who put his shot past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake first time into the back of the net.

That strike carried Columbus into the half with a lead, making it their 10th goal against the Union, scoring between the 31st and 45th minute.

Mother Nature played its course during halftime, pushing severe weather into the area, forcing a delay. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Columbus Crew match without one, right?

Much of the second half mirrored the first, with both teams generating chances but not converting. Philadelphia had better chances, nearly scoring midway through the half, but a stellar clearance off the goalline saw the Crew concede nought.

The Union threw multiple attacks towards the Black & Gold defensive third, but could not find the back of the net.

Columbus nearly doubled the lead late in the second half, when Andres Herrera found Ibrahim Aliyu at the back post with a pass sent in from the right flank. Aliyu was able to open his hips and hit the ball on time, only to be saved by Blake to keep the score 1-0.

The Crew found themselves fighting to end the match in the four minutes added to the second half, with the Union gaining one last opportunity on a free kick that nearly found the back of the net.

Columbus would see out the final whistle, earning a big three points against the Supporter’s Shield leaders.

Crew continue to impress

With the win, the Crew improves its record against Eastern Conference teams, making it 5-1-2, while still being unbeaten at home when leading at the half (6-0-0) across all competitions.

What’s next?

The Black & Gold head to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Sounders. Kickoff from Lumen Field is set for 5 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.