Union three game unbeaten streak is snapped in road loss to Columbus Crew
The loss ends a three-game unbeaten streak for the Union, who began the Major League Soccer season with six consecutive losses.
The Union left town during the Penn Relays, but they were in a track meet of their own against the Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on Saturday night.
Columbus beat the Union, 2-0, in a frenetic, end-to-end game. The loss ends a three-game unbeaten streak for the Union (1-7-2, 5 points), who began the Major League Soccer season with six consecutive losses.
The Crew (3-4-3, 12 points) got off the starting blocks quickly with a fifth-minute goal from U.S. men’s national team World Cup hopeful Max Arfsten. A Nathan Harriel own goal in the third minute of first-half stoppage time gave the Crew a 2-0 lead, which held until the final whistle.
Both Columbus goals were a result of Arfsten beating Ndinga down the left flank of the Union’s defense. In the fifth minute, Arfsten capitalized on an Ndinga blunder. The 20-year-old left back misplayed a ball forward from the Crew’s midfield. Arfsten raced to collect the loose ball and beat Andre Blake with a low shot, putting Columbus up, 1-0.
Arfsten got in behind Ndinga again on a counter-attack in first half stoppage time, which led to Harriel’s own goal. Arfsten played a centering cross that Harriel tried to hit wide of the net.
Harriel’s attempted clearance hit Andre Blake, ricocheted back off Harriel and into the Union’s net, giving the Crew a 2-0 lead.
Jesús Bueno went down with an injury behind the play that led to the own goal. The midfielder was able to walk off under his own power, but Jovan Lukić replaced him in midfield shortly before halftime.
Union manager Bradley Carnell swapped Ndinga for Ben Bender at halftime and made another pair of changes in the 66th, bringing in Agustín Anello and Indiana Vassilev for Jeremy Rafanello and Cavan Sullivan. Carnell’s final change swapped Ezekiel Alladoh for Bruno Damiani at striker in the 84th minute.
Sullivan, 16, earned the third MLS start of his career in a rotated squad against Columbus. The loss to Columbus was the Union’s third game in eight days. Sullivan was credited with one key pass and did not record a shot.
Japhet Sery Larsen was shown a red card in stoppage time for a takedown of Jamal Thiaré that denied a goal scoring opportunity for the Columbus striker. Sery Larsen will miss the Union’s next match against Nashville SC, which leads the Eastern Conference.
Dániel Gazdag entered the game for Columbus in the 70th minute. The Union’s all-time leading goal scorer, who was traded to Columbus in April 2025, is still very much trying to find his way as a false No. 9 after nearly two seasons with the Crew.
The Union outshot Columbus, 11-7, three of which were shots on target. Patrick Schulte made three saves to secure the Crew’s second shutout in league play.
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