Union Defeats Columbus, 2-1

Columbus, Ohio – The Philadelphia Union defeated Columbus Crew SC 2-1 with both goals coming from offseason signing Chris Pontius. The victory marks the Union’s first ever win at Columbus and their first win of the season.

The game saw action on both ends of the pitch. Andre Blake made some stunning saves to keep the Union in the lead after Pontius scored the first goal in the 46th minute. Keegan Rosenberry gave a long throw into the Columbus box and unmarked Pontius sent the ball into the back of the net.

Pontius extended the Union’s lead to two in the 71st minute with a low shot from outside the 18 yard box. Kei Kamara gave the home team a goal in the 87th minute sending a header into the top corner of the net.

The Union return to action next Sunday for the home opener at Talen Energy Stadium against New England Revolution at 2:30 p.m.

MATCH RECAP

Columbus Crew SC 1, Philadelphia Union 2

Mapfre Stadium

Columbus, Ohio

SCORING SUMMARY

PHI – Chris Pontius 45+1’  HIGHLIGHT:http://bit.ly/24XBf92

PHI— Chris Pontius 71’ HIGHLIGHT: http://bit.ly/1nG6t2E

CLB— Kei Kamara (Mohammed Saeid) 87’ HIGHLIGHT: http://bit.ly/1V2GzDP

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

PHI— Fabinho 56′  (Yellow)

PHI — Brian Carroll 65’ (Yellow)

MATCH DAY STATS

Box score: http://bit.ly/1QPD4Pa

Stats: http://bit.ly/24Xszj1

PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI

Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Richie Marquez, Ken Tribbett, Fabinho, Brian Carroll (Sebastien Le Toux 60’), Leo Fernandes,Warren Creavalle, Ilsinho (Roland Alberg 75′), Chris Pontius (Fabian Herbers 86’), C.J. Sapong

Unused subs: John McCarthy, Anderson, Raymon Gaddis

COLUMBUS CREW SC STARTING XI

Steve Clark, Gastón Sauro, Harrison Afful, Waylon Francis (Justin Meram,74’), Will Trapp, Federico Higuaín, Ethan Finlay (Mohammed Saeid 74’), Héctor Jiménez (Cedrick 59’), Tony Tchani, Kei Kamara

 

Unused subs: Emil Larson, Brad Stuver, Amor Tarek, Corey Ashe

 

ATTENDANCE

17,015

TEAM NOTES

• The Union earn their first ever victory at Columbus and now have a record of 1-6-1 at Mapfre Stadium.
•     The Union have an overall record of 5-10-1 and are the first team to defeat Columbus in their home opener since 2004.
•     Pontius scores the Union’s first goals of the season and his first goals for the club.
•     Blake made six saves and now has a total of 14 just two games into the 2016 season.
•     The Union return to action for their first home game on Sunday, March 20 at 2:30 p.m. against New England Revolution.