Crew Down D.C. United 3-0 in Game Delayed by Scoreboard Fire

The Crew were looking forward to returning to the friendly confines of Crew Stadium, but the scene turned bizarre as a fire broke out in the south scoreboard, clearing the south end stands and delaying the game. Team staff and stadium security worked quickly to clear the area and Columbus Fire Department would get the blaze under control within 30 minutes.

After the 50 minute delay to the start of the game, the Crew came out quickly. Eddie Gaven intercepted a United pass at midfield in the 6th and broke past the defense. A late tackle dispossessed him, but Federico Higuain picked up the ball. D.C. cleared after a challenge that left the Nordecke shouting for a penalty.

Columbus would break through in the 14th minute when Gaven would send in a cross from the left side to Arrieta. The Costa Rican's controlling touch would take him to the left side of goal. He centered a cross to Dominic Oduro who easily slotted home the shot from inside the six yard box.

Columbus doubled their lead in the 26th minute when a long outlet by Gaven found Arrieta. D.C. had to scramble to clear for a corner. Higuain would rifle in a driven kick that Josh Williams redirected with his right foot to dribble a shot past Bill Hamid.

Arrieta and Gaven weren't finished as the duo would play a give and go that put Arrieta in towards goal in first half stoppage. Arrieta was tripped up to give the Crew a penalty. Higuain easily put the ball past Hamid to give Columbus a 3-0 lead at half time.

The pace of the game slowed down as energy on both sides dropped. The best chance of the second half would come in the 68th minute when Dominic Oduro would break out on the right side at midfield, leaving three United player behind. He cut centrally and dropped a pass to Arrieta. Arrieta's shot went high of goal.

D.C. created little all night, the two best chances would be when Kyle Porter shot that got past Andy Gruenebaum and rung off the post in the first half and Marcos Sanchez pushed a breakaway shot wide late in the second half.

The win moves Columbus to 3-2-3 and 12 points on the year. The Crew return to action next Saturday against the New York Red Bulls.