The game in 100 words (or less): If there’s two things Columbus Crew SC struggle with, it’s winning games on the road — we knew this already (one road win all season, coming not until July 15) — and now, apparently, holding onto leads, whether home or away. After going up 3-0 against Toronto FC last week, the Black and Gold drew 3-3 at home. This week, they held a 1-0 lead after five minutes, only to see it slip away before halftime and ultimately fall to expansion side Orlando City, 5-2. On the other side of things, Orlando City find themselves level on points with the Montreal Impact (while having played three more games) for the sixth and final playoff place in the Eastern Conference. Rookie striker Cyle Larin bagged his 10th and 11th goals of the season, which makes him the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year.
[ MORE: DCU 6-4 RSL | NYCFC 2-3 MTL | Drogba arrives | Johannsson to MLS? ]
The moments that mattered
5′ — Higuain’s smooth finish give Crew SC an early lead — Justin Meram’s long, strong run through the heart of the Orlando midfield resulted in a gigantic passing lane and acres of space, through and into which the Iraqi international fed Federico Higuain. The finish was as cool as can be.
18′ — Larin finishes from close range to tie it up — Corey Ashe provided the tantalizing cross on the doorstep of the Crew SC goal. All Larin had to do was put any part of his body on the ball and it was in the back of the net. Larin did so, and all of Canada rejoiced.
53′ — Ceren, on try No. 2, five Orlando the lead — Kaka cut the ball back for a late-arriving Darwin Ceren who, it should be said, benefitted greatly from Meram falling asleep defensively. Ceren’s first shot was blocked by Michael Parkhurst, but the second was blasted past Steve Clark.
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LINEUPS
Orlando City SC: Hall, Ashe, Hines, Collin, Turner, Higuita, Carrasco, Boden, Kaka, Ceren, Larin (Rochez 78′)
Goals: Larin (18′, 53′), Ceren (38′), Collin (77′), (Higuita 85′)
Columbus Crew SC: Clark, Francis, Wahl, Parkhurst, Barson (Jimenez 58′), Tchani (Saeid 67′), Trapp, Meram, Higuain, Finlay (Cedrick 46′), Kamara
Goals: Higuain (5′), Collin (90+1′ – OG)
