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    Crew Strikes Out Against Union in 2016 Home Opener Loss

    A rusty Columbus Crew SC are win-less in the opening two games of the 2016 MLS season as Philadelphia Union’s Chris Pontius grabbed a brace to defeat Crew SC 2-1, despite the home team having a whopping 19 shots on the Union goal.

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    Crew SC stuck to the usual game plan of possession and passing down the wings but sent far too many floated crosses into the hands of Union ‘keeper Andre Blake who was called on to make a handful of quality saves in between the catching practice the Crew wingers gave him.

    Neither team looked particularly threatening in the first and just as it looked like we’d go into the break goalless Pontius snuck in between the Crew SC defense and slotted the ball past Steve Clark to give Philadelphia the lead.

    Crew SC continued to waste chances in the second half and Philadelphia just about wrapped up the game in the 71st minute when Pontius slipped the ball into the near-post after the Crew SC defense again failed to deal with the danger.

    A late flurry from the home side resulted in Kei Kamara netting his first goal of the season with a bullet header off of a Mo Saeid corner kick.

    Justin Meram missed a sitter with time running out that should’ve tied the game but his low shot was weakly hit from his left foot.

    The home team pushed forward but time wasn’t on their side as Philadelphia were able to see out the game and put Columbus on a 0-2 start for the first time since 2006

    The head-scratching MLS schedule has the next three games away from MAPFRE Stadium with tricky games at Chicago, Dallas and Montreal before a return home in over a months time when New York City come to town.

    For a full listings of the Crew SC’s home games, CLICK HERE to visit our Event Calendar.

    Matt Ellis is a freelance photographer who covers bands that visit the city and the Columbus Crew MLS team. More about Matt can be found at Matt Ellis Photography.

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    Matt Ellis
    Matt Ellishttps://www.instagram.com/3songsandgone/
    Matt Ellis is a freelance photographer who covers music that happens in the city and the Columbus Crew SC home games. More photography from Matt can be found at his Instagram page.
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