The Columbus Crew defeated the New England Revolution 4-3 in a thrilling match at Crew Stadium on Saturday night. Federico Higuaín and Jairo Arrieta scored two goals each, while Milovan Mirosevic recorded two assists and Tony Tchani added one.
Revolution’s Ryan Guy, Jerry Bengtson and Lee Nguyen (penalty) tallied for the visitors.
The Revs came out of the gates swinging and had the first few attempts on goal. Their determination paid off in the 17th minute when Guy received a cross from Saer Sene and shot it to the far post from 20 yards out to give New England the 1-0 lead.
Six minutes later the visitors doubled up after Benny Feilhaber sprung Bengtson free as the Designated Player ran towards goal. Crew keeper Andy Gruenebaum came off his line to contrast the forward but was unable to clear the play, Bengtson took the shot that ricocheted off the near post and into the back of the net.
Down 2-0, the Crew did not let up and continued to try and find a way to get on the board. In the 26th minute Eddie Gaven was fouled at outside the box by Stephen McCarthy and the referee awarded a free kick to the Black & Gold. Higuaín took a well placed lob over the wall and Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis, to pull one back.
In the 32nd the Crew got the game tying goal when Mirosevic lobbed a Gaven header to Arrieta who ran into the box and finished his chance bringing the game level.
Just before the half another foul on Gaven would give the Crew its advantage. Higuaín stepped up to take his second free kick of the evening and did not miss for the 3-2 lead going into halftime.
The Black & Gold continued to attack, looking to put the game away with an insurance goal but shots by Gaven in the 61st and 65th minutes ended high and deflected in corner.
As the game entered its final 10 minutes, the Revolution was awarded a penalty after Julius James was called for challenging Diego Fagundez in the box. Nguyen tied the game temporarily slotting the ball to the right of Matt Lampson, who made his MLS debut entering at the half after Gruenebaum suffered a lower back injury.
With the game tied at 3-3, the Black & Gold did not let up and continued to press for the game-winner. In the 86th minute, Mirosevic headed a ball to Tchani and the midfielder chipped it over to Arrieta who split the Revolution’s central defenders and beat Reis fixing the result at 4-3.
With the win, the Black & Gold is now only four points out of the fifth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, extending its unbeaten streak to four games.
The Crew is now 10-8-6 on the season and 7-3-2 at home.
The last time the Crew scored four goals in a match was June 26, 2011 when the Black & Gold defeated Colorado 4-1.
The Black & Gold travels to PPL Park in Chester, Pa. next to face the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, August 29, at 8 p.m.
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