Philadelphia Union Lose Match Against Columbus Crew: A Fan’s Reaction

On Wednesday, August 29, 2012, the Philadelphia Union hosted the Columbus Crew at PPL Park Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Going into the game, the two teams were both outside of the group of teams that would be headed to the playoffs if the season ended then, but the Crew were closer to being able to get a playoff berth than the Union were. The game ended with the Crew taking the victory by a score of 2-1. Unfortunately for Union fans, the Crew got one step closer and the Union continue to find the playoffs just out of reach. It seems unlikely, at best, that the Union will be able to make the playoffs at this point.

The Union got on the board first around halfway through the first half thanks to Carlos Valdes. Just before the first half ended, Josh Williams got the Crew on the board. Federico Higuain was credited with the assist. The first half ended with the two teams tied at 1-1. Halfway through the second period, however, Williams was given a red card for fighting and the Crew were left short one player for the rest of the game. Though the Union tried to make opportunities and managed to possess the ball more during the match, the Crew took one more shot with moments to go in stoppage time. Eddie Gaven got the goal with help from both Justin Meram and Higuain.

Currently, the Union are just ahead of the New England Revolution and the Toronto FC with 25 points. The team could, unfortunately, easily fall in the standings if either team has just one good game. The Crew are now just one great game away from being in a position to make the playoffs. There are still several games left before the teams will know for sure but there is a wide margin between the top and the bottom teams. Currently at the top of the Eastern Conference of the MLS is Sporting Kansas City which has 47 points.

As fan, I always hope that the team will be able to win, even if that is not the most likely outcome. Objectively, I did think that the Union would be able to defeat the Crew and it seemed the Union were going to at least get a tie until the very end. Unfortunately, it was another disappointment in a season full of them. Sometimes the pivotal moments in games just seem to go the wrong way and that may have been the case in this game. I am sure that the last minute goal was a heartbreaker to many Union fans. The Union were never really in the running to make the playoffs, but it would have been really nice to have a win.

Kristin Watt lives in central Pennsylvania and has no local major league sporting teams in the area. She has chosen to adopt Philadelphia's teams, including the Philadelphia Union, as her own home teams. Philadelphia is close enough to make a daytrip out of a game and still not have to get a hotel room.