Columbus Crew Defeat Indy Eleven In Double Overtime of U.S. Open Cup

In the end of the Columbus Crew's U.S. Open Cup match with the Indy Eleven, it came down to a penalty kick. It wasn't the penalty kick shootout the 1,913 fans in attendance at FirstEnergy Stadium on the campus of the University of Akron expected after a 1-1 draw through regulation and most of overtime, but it was decided at the spot.

After 123 minutes of soccer played to a stalemate, Ethan Finlay was tripped after beating a player in the box and the referee awarded the penalty kick.

Second half substitute Jairo Arrieta stepped up and slotted home the effort that eventually gave the Crew the 2-1 win and allowed them to advance to the next round of Open Cup play.

The game started promising for the Black and Gold, opening the scoring after just four minutes. A corner kick from attacking midfielder Ben Speas found the head of left back Bernardo Anor and beat goalkeeper Kristian Nicht for the early 1-0 advantage.

Columbus kept up the pressure in the opening stages, looking to double their lead. They thought they had done just that after 15 minutes, but the celebrations were halted after the flag went up for offside.

Indy had their best chances of the early portion of the match from a set piece. After a foul from Anor outside the box 20 minutes in, the ball found defender Estridge, but his attempt was saved by a diving Steve Clark.

After 32 minutes, the match was turned on its head. A hard challenge from forward Adam Bedell saw him shown a yellow card. After consulting with the fourth official, the center referee waived off the yellow and instead issue the big forward a straight red card, sending him for an early shower.

The Crew took the advantage into the locker room at the break, but Indy came out looking for an equalizer in the second half.

A miscue by Clark gave them their first chance of the half, as a ball came across the front of a goal and the keeper missed it. Fortunately for Columbus, there were no players attacking the back post for the easy finish.

Just a minute later, defender Josh Williams and winger Hector Jimenez played a nice give and go that found Williams with space. His cross was a dangerous one, but the shot from Finlay went well over the Indy goal.

It was the 62^nd minute when Indy Eleven finally pulled things level against the 10-man Crew. It was second half substitute Don Smart who found midfielder Blake Smith. His shot finally beat Clark to equalize for the NASL side.

Eight minutes later, Indy nearly took the lead through midfielder Brad Ring, but his effort was saved by the fingertips of Clark.

The two sides could not be separated in the 90 minute regulation and they headed to two 15 minute overtimes.

After 106 minutes, midfielder Daniel Paladini had a chance from the top of the Indy penalty area, but his shot from range was over Nicht's goal.

Four minutes later, Paladini was involved in the action again, but this time for a negative reason. The midfielder was unhappy after not getting a call and swung his arm at and made contact with an Indy defender. The sideline official saw the play and the referee issued a red card.

The Crew, playing with nine men for the fourth time in team history, appeared set to sit back and hope for the penalty shootout. Finlay had other ideas.

The winger, who has been key contributor for Columbus in recent weeks, streaked down the left hand side of the pitch before cutting into the box. He beat his defender and was chopped down, giving Arrieta the chance from 12 yards out.

With the win, the Crew advance to the fifth round of the 101^st U.S. Open Cup where they will play the winner of the Chicago Fire-Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who play on Wednesday. The Black and Gold resume MLS play July 28, when they host FC Dallas.