Crew Crash Out in KC

Columbus hoped the road to the playoffs started in Kansas City, but a 3-2 loss is yet another detour on the Crew's season long journey to the postseason. The latest defeat means it's looking more likely the trip will end with a second consecutive year being on the outside looking in at the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Kansas City pressed immediately getting a good chance from back to back corners with Soony Saad forcing an Andy Gruenebaum save and Claudio Bieler pushing his shot just wide. The Crew would settle, but SKC would again assert dominance.

Kansas City would breakthrough in the 34th minute as Soony Saad would pick up an errant Tyson Wahl pass that Jairo Arrieta headed in his path. Saad uncorked a cross field pass that Kai Kamara picked up in space left open by Chad Barson to slip the ball far post by Gruenebaum.

The home side would again press as the second half opened, but the Crew would find their luck on the counterattack. Danny O'Rourke launched a clearing ball to Federico Higuain. He nodded the ball in the path of Jairo Arrieta who then traveled the entire KC half and they put a shot past Jimmy Nielsen to tie the game in the 48th minute.

Kansas City would grab the lead back just two minutes later. Bieler would pick up a deflected Chance Meyers cross on the half volley and restore the home team's lead.

Again, the response would be quick and for the Crew it was on the counterattack. O'Rourke clipped a clearance after Kansas City was on the doorstep. Higuain tracked down the ball and sent a long outlet towards Oduro. Seth Sinovic picked up the ball but his pass to Nielsen was under hit allowing Dominic Oduro to push the ball around the keeper and tie up the game.

After the blistering start to the second half, both teams would settle into a pattern. Kansas City would control the ball, but wouldn't turn it into chances. They'd get a chance after a poor defensive effort in the 80th minute. Kevin Ellis flighted an early cross that forced a poor Tyson Wahl clearance. Bieler headed the ball back across Kamara who finished past a stranded Gruenebaum.

Columbus had no more magic left. It would take an immense Gruenebaum double save minutes later to keep the game at 3-2. Konrad Warzycha's late blast went well left of the post.

The Crew have a short turnaround as they head to Los Angeles to take on the struggling Galaxy. The Black and Gold's playoff chances took a big hit as they dropped their second straight. They drop to 5-7-5 on the year and remain three points out of the fifth spot.