Saturday will bring a much different Columbus team to PPL Park (7 p.m., purchase tickets), but the last time Crew visited the Chester waterfront, they were the unfortunate guests of a record setting night from the Union.
In commanding fashion, the Union celebrated a 3-0 victory behind three goals in a six minute span from Brian Carroll, Sheanon Williams and Conor Casey. With the Crew coming to upset postseason aspirations, it’s fitting to remind fans that this Crew side, though very formidable – is beatable, too.
Goal No. 1:
Brian Carroll catches pay dirt
The GIF won’t show you clearly as the video above, but it was Carroll’s work rate that was the impetus behind this goal.
Well, okay...work rate and a fortunate deflection...
Carroll, who breaks up the play in midfield, uses a pair of quick moves to elude two defenders, creating space and shooting from about 35 yards out. The power of his shot took a deflection completely throwing Crew keeper Andy Gruenebaum off as the ball calmly rolls in for a 1-0 Union lead.
Goal No. 2:
Sheanon Williams side volley
This one was so good; it was a ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 play.
Off a Sebastien Le Toux corner kick, Williams who came up from right back hung out along the back post. At first, he was marked well but after the ball was hit, he instantly became the forgotten man. That suited Williams and the Union just fine as the defender hit a well-timed side volley under the arms of Gruenebaum and into the back of the net.
Goal No. 3:
Conor Casey goes in head first
Playing like a No. 10, Le Toux gets his second assist on the night streaking down the right flank and playing a great ball in on a Conor Casey near post run. Two things to watch as that play developed.
- The crisscrossing runs of Casey and former forward Jack McInerney who ran back post and actually made himself another great option for Le Toux.
- Just how vertical Casey got to put power behind the header, going full extension into the dive and drilling home past Gruenebaum, who has no chance on even a block.
Also in the video starting at the three minute, 51 second mark (3:51), listen to former Union color analyst Alejandro Moreno’s elation watching all of this transpire.
It’s good for a chuckle, we promise.
Where you at this game? What are your memories of it? Leave a comment below.
Contact Union digital editor Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com
