Cucho Hernandez makes club history in 3-2 Crew win over Philadelphia Union
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Crew took on Philadelphia Union at home Saturday night in one of the final matches of the regular 2024 MLS season, with the Crew leaving Lower.com Field with a 3-2 win.
Crew forward Cucho Hernandez made club history tonight after contributing two of Columbus' three goals. Hernandez took advantage of two corners, scoring with well-placed headers past Philadelphia goaltender Andre Blake in the fourth and 75th minutes. With Saturday's match, he set a new club record -- 32 -- for most goal contributions in a season. With a total of 19 goals this season, Hernandez is also now tied with LAFC's Denis Bouanga for second most goals scored in the league this year.
The Crew's other goal came from Mohamed Farsi, who seized an opening in the 40th after a series of passes both started and finished by the Columbus player.
The Union temporarily tied the game in the 24th after an initially blocked free kick became a point. Philadelphia was consistent with their follow up, and Nathanial Harriel managed to get it past Crew defenders and goaltender Patrick Schulte. In the 80th, Jack McGlynn scored for the Union again, just minutes after he entered the field.
The Crew came off a tough 3-2 loss at home to conference leader Inter Miami on Wednesday. Philadelphia also came off a loss by one goal, falling 2-1 to Orlando City the same night.
For the Union, however, success was crucial in Saturday's match. Philadelphia is fighting for playoff eligibility, currently tied for 10th place with Toronto. The top nine teams in each conference make it to the playoffs, with those in eighth and ninth place battling in a wild card round to make it to Round One. At just three points behind the Eastern Conference's eighth- and ninth-placed teams, the Union is battling to qualify for a spot.
The Crew are competing with FC Cincinnati for second place in the Eastern Conference, a title the Crew currently hold by one point. Both Cincinnati and Columbus clinched spots in the playoffs in their Hell is Real rivalry match on Sept. 14.
Fans may have noticed that Columbus played wearing black armbands in the match. In a social media post, the team explained the bands were in remembrance of a stadium security member who passed away suddenly this week. According to the post, she had worked closely with the players and their loved ones since 2019.
The Crew take on New England next Saturday, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. at Lower.com Field once again. Philadelphia will also return in one week, battling FC Cincinnati at the Union's home stadium at 6 p.m.