Chester, PA (Sports Network) - The struggles in front of goal continued for
the Philadelphia Union as the club needed a first-half penalty kick to claim a
1-0 win over the Columbus Crew at PPL Park on Saturday.
Gabriel Gomez provided the lone goal seven minutes from halftime as he
converted from the spot for his second goal of the season.
The Union have only managed to net three goals from five games this season as
Peter Nowak's men failed to create many scoring chances from open play.
Ultimately though, the Polish head coach will choose to remember this match as
the club's first win of the season.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when a shot at goal was blocked by
the upper arm of Crew defender Eric Gehrig. Gehrig protested to referee
Michael Kennedy that it struck his chest, but the penalty was awarded.
Gomez took the ensuing kick and chipped a cheeky effort right down the middle
of the goal. Columbus goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum instantly committed to the
right and stood no chance at making a save.
It proved to be all the Union would need as they held on to claim their first
win of the season.
On four points, Philadelphia (1-3-1) will return to action with a trip to
California as the Union will face Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center next
Saturday.
Columbus (2-3-0) has lost two in a row, both of which were to Eastern
Conference opponents. The Crew will return home to Crew Stadium for their next
outing, a meeting with the defending Eastern Conference champion Houston
Dynamo on April 21.
The Sports Network