The Columbus Crew dropped a stunning heartbreaker to Kansas City, 3-2, on Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
With two goals in second-half stoppage time, the Wizards made an improbable comeback, claiming their first win in four games.
Kansas City drew first blood in the 31st minute. Columbus defender Ezra Hendrickson was called for a foul on Scott Sealy eight yards out from the left corner of the Crew's penalty box, giving Kansas City a dangerous free kick opportunity. Sealy's ensuing free kick was well struck, as it curled into the upper left corner of the frame, barely eluding Will Hesmer's diving save attempt, for the lone tally of the first half for either team.
The Crew stepped up the pressure in the second stanza of play, causing the Wizards to give up possession frequently in their own end. The intensified pressure would soon pay dividends for Columbus. In the 65th minute, defender Danny O'Rourke played in a cross that found Eddie Gaven in the Wizards' box. Gaven's header was denied by Kevin Hartman, but Alejandro Moreno was in prime position to collect the rebound and he knocked in the loose ball, tying the match 1-1.
The Crew, energized by the Moreno goal, would strike again just two minutes later. Gaven's corner kick in the 67th minute found defender Marcos Gonzalez at the top of the penalty box. Gonzalez sent a header back across the goalmouth to an open Andy Herron, a second half substitute, who tapped in the helper to give the Crew the 2-1 lead.
In the closing minutes of the match, Kansas City found itself unable to notch the equalizing goal, but found itself the beneficiary of four minutes of stoppage time.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad won a contested ball, a sent a pass back to an onrushing Kerry Zavagnin. Zavagnin took a touch and was run into by Crew substitute Stefani Migloranzi, drawing a penalty kick, according to referee Andrew Chapin. Eddie Johnson hit the ensuing spot kick off the inside of the left post, equalizing the match at 2-2.
Soon thereafter, the Wizards would strike the crippling blow. Johnson played wide for substitute Eloy Colombano who struck a cross for Sealy running to the near post. Sealy's diving header just escaped Hesmer's grasp at the near post, giving the Wizards the improbable 3-2 victory.
Columbus will again take to the road next week, as it takes on Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday, September 22. The Eastern Conference battle is scheduled to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. (ET).
