Columbus Crew SC somehow managed to toss away a 3-0 lead during the second half of Saturday night’s sell-out $1 buck, brat and massive disappointment night at MAPFRE Stadium against Toronto FC in a game that ended up 3-3.
Everything looked to be going to the usual script for the home team as league-leaders Kei Kamara and Ethan Finlay set about adding +1’s to their stats for the year while Justin Meram continues to not score.
Kamara opened the scoring in the 17th minute with an almost trademark power leap header after Ethan Finlay’s shot deflected back out to the assisting Federico Hiquain to put onto the head of the Crew SC striker.
Tony Tchani popped up with Crew SC’s second goal in the 36th minute with a calmly placed shot from just outside the box.
Ethan Finlay seemingly put the game out of reach at the start of the second half as the winger picked up his seventh goal of the season after rampaging into the Toronto box and slotting home past the TFC ‘keeper.
The home team then turned off and just two minutes later Toronto grabbed a life-line goal from Giovinco whose first time shot swept past Steve Clark in the Crew SC goal.
Just five minutes later Toronto were back in the game and Crew fans started to get a little nervy as Collen Warner made it 3-2.
As has happened so often this year, the decisive moment came with seconds running out on the clock. Jozy Altidore, who made little difference for most of the game, fell down in the box after feeling the presence of Crew SC defender Waylon Francis and the referee instantly pointed to the spot.
Altidore took up penalty responsibilities and fired home to tie up the game at 3-3 and leave the home team scratching their heads on 2 dropped points that almost looked impossible to happen.
Columbus Crew SC next play at home on August 19th against league new-boys NYC FC.
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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.