In a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Union, the Columbus Crew secured second place in the Eastern Conference standings heading into the MLS playoffs. The win, fueled by an outstanding performance from striker Cucho Hernandez, puts Columbus in prime position as they prepare for the postseason.
Hernandez, the star of the match, netted two crucial goals, both headers from corners, to bring his regular-season tally to an impressive 19. His contributions were made possible by midfielder Dylan Chambost, who made his first start at center midfield. Chambost, tasked with taking corners in place of Diego Rossi, delivered two perfect assists for Hernandez to convert, helping the Crew maintain their lead throughout the match.
The Crew’s scoring opened early with Hernandez’s header just four minutes into the game. However, Philadelphia responded quickly with a goal from defender Nathan Harriel off a free kick in the 25th minute, marking the second consecutive game in which the Crew allowed a goal from a set piece. Before the half ended, Crew midfielder Mo Farsi regained the lead with a well-placed shot, sending Columbus into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
The second half saw Hernandez shine again with his second header, extending the lead to 3-1. However, the Union fought back when substitute Jack McGlynn cut the lead to one just a minute later, ensuring a tense finish. Despite the late push from Philadelphia, Columbus held firm to secure the win without two of their regular defenders, Rudy Camacho and Steven Moreira.
Camacho was suspended following a red card in the Crew’s previous match, and Moreira was sidelined with an ankle injury. Despite the defensive adjustments, with Yevhen Cheberko, Malte Amundsen, and Andres Herrera stepping in, Columbus maintained control for most of the match.
Head coach Wilfried Nancy praised his team’s resilience, particularly Chambost’s adaptability. Normally playing in a more defensive role, Chambost’s creative play in midfield and on set pieces paid off. Nancy noted that challenging his players in unfamiliar positions is key to their growth, and Chambost’s performance was a perfect example of this approach.
Though the Crew dominated in terms of offensive pressure, taking 19 shots with 10 on goal, Philadelphia’s goalkeeper Andre Blake kept the game close, making seven crucial saves. Farsi’s goal, which came after Blake deflected a shot from Rossi, ultimately proved to be decisive.
Meanwhile, third-place FC Cincinnati’s 3-1 loss to Orlando City SC widened the gap between them and the Crew, solidifying Columbus' second-place finish. With one game left in the regular season, Cincinnati can only close the gap to one point, but the Crew’s two remaining matches give them a chance to end the season on a high note.
Hernandez, who has now broken the Crew’s single-season record for goal contributions with 32 (19 goals and 13 assists), credited his teammates for his success.
"I believe in me," Hernandez said after the game. "I always try things, and even when I miss, I keep going. That’s the key to making things happen."
The Columbus Crew now look ahead to their final regular-season games, confident in their position as they prepare for a deep playoff run.
