The Columbus Crew defeated D.C. United 4-1 in MLS Reserve League action on Sunday morning at the Crew Training Center at Obetz. Olman Vargas, Aaron Schoenfeld, Eric Gehrig and Aaron Horton all scored for the Crew while United’s lone goal came from Long Tan. Crew defender Nemanja Vukovic netted three assists, Emilio Renteria tallied one and Danny Cruz assisted on Tan’s goal.
Columbus dominated most of the match creating chances early on. In the fifth minute Gehrig almost opened his account with a header towards goal only to see D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid tip the ball over the crossbar.
The first Crew goal came a minute later on the ensuing corner kick. Vukovic crossed the ball into the far side of the box and Vargas easily headed it home for the 1-0 lead.
United had its first clear chance in the 10th minute with a free kick by Josh Wolff but defender Ethan White headed the ball high above the bar. In the 19th Schoenfeld received a low cross from Renteria and volleyed it far post for the second Crew goal.
Columbus almost added a third tally in the 30th when Renteria brought the ball almost to the touchline and sent it to Ben Speas but Hamid deftly handled the young forward’s point blank shot.
Four minutes into the second half D.C. pulled one back when Tan tapped a ball into an open net after Crew goalkeeper Matt Lampson went after Cruz to try and block his cross.
In the 53rd the Crew went up again after Gehrig slotted a low shot to the far post after controlling a cross from Vukovic.
The Crew added the final goal in the 85th minute when Vukovic crossed the ball into the box finding Horton who headed it home fixing the result at 4-1.
With the result, Columbus improves its East Division leading record to 6-2-0, 18 pts., while D.C. drops to 1-1-1, 4 pts. Both teams face each other again in their next MLS Reserve League match on Sunday, August 5, at United’s training field in Washington D.C. at 11 a.m.
Columbus Crew 4, D.C. United 1
Crew Training Center, Obetz, Ohio
MLS Reserve League
Scoring Summary:
CLB – Olman Vargas (Nemanja Vukovic) 6
CLB – Aaron Schoenfeld (Emilio Renteria) 19
DCU – Long Tan (Danny Cruz) 49
CLB – Eric Gehrig (Nemanja Vukovic) 53
CLB – Aaron Horton (Nemanja Vukovic) 85
Misconduct Summary:
DCU – Kurt Morsink (caution) 48
DCU – Emiliano Dudar (caution) 65
CLB – Olman Vargas (caution) 65
CLB – Alex Crognale (caution) 78
Columbus Crew: Matt Lampson, Ethan Finlay (Connor Klekota^, 69), Eric Gehrig (Brett Elder^, 88), Julius James (Alex Crognale^, 75), Nemanja Vukovic, Kevan George, Tony Tchani (Andrew Souders^, 85), Ben Speas, Emilio Renteria, Aaron Schoenfeld (Aaron Horton, 58), Olman Vargas.
Substitute Not Used: Nick Ciraldo^
^ - Academy Player
D.C. United: Bill Hamid (Andrew Dykstra, 46), Kurt Morsink, Ethan White, Emiliano Dudar, Martin Lopez^ (Jannik Eckenrode^, 46), Danny Cruz, Marcelo Saragosa, Stephen King, Damilola Adetola^ (Sebastian Cahe^, 61), Josh Wolff (Denis Najar^, 69), Long Tan.
Substitute Not Used: Maicon Santos
^ - Academy Player
Referee: Andre Castel
Referee's Assistants: John Safar, Corey Richardson
4th Official: Aaron Vnuk
