It seemed like a age had passed since Columbus Crew SC last played in Columbus on a freezing cold night in late March with a loss to NY Redbulls, so it was nice to have fantastic weather to welcome the team back to Columbus after two road games as another red card helped the Crew to a dominant 3-0 win over league newbies Orlando City.
Columbus started the better team and in typical Crew SC style, dominated possession and pressed high up the field. Federico Higuain was in top form and an outlet anytime any Crew player was on the ball and Kei Kamara is beginning to look a little more comfortable leading the attack.
Higuain was the first to get on the score sheet. Ethan Finlay’s low cross was met by a deft flick from the Crew SC forward to score his first goal of the season and set him up for a performance that would overshadow the much talked about Kaka.
Orlando’s evening became worse in the 34th minute when Rafael Ramos hurled himself studs-first into Waylon Francis. Ramos ran away while the referee chased on with a yellow card in hand before producing a straight red as players from both sides clashed near the halfway line.
Justin Meram doubled Crew SC’s lead in the second half after the tenacious Kamara picked up the ball in the Orlando box and sent it back to Meram who blasted the ball high and beyond Orlando ‘keeper Ricketts.
Shortly after Kamara got his well deserved goal with a well placed lob over Ricketts and into the Orlando goal.
Kamara thought he’d grabbed his second brace of the season shortly afterwards but the referee’s assistant raised a late flag while the Crew SC striker was in mid-celebration.
Crew SC are at home again next week when they face Philadelphia Union.
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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.
