📝 D.C. United 2-2 (2-3 pens) Columbus Crew: Rooney misses in shootout | OneFootball

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Blaise Bourgeois·2 November 2018

📝 D.C. United 2-2 (2-3 pens) Columbus Crew: Rooney misses in shootout

Article image:📝 D.C. United 2-2 (2-3 pens) Columbus Crew: Rooney misses in shootout

Zack Steffen played the role of hero, as the Columbus Crew advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals with a 3-2 shootout win after the two sides finished 2-2 after 120 minutes.

Federico Higuaín’s brace either side of regular time allowed Columbus to come from behind, but Nick DeLeon’s incredible 116th-minute half-volley sent the match to penalties.


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However, DeLeon went from hero to goat as he skied the potential tying penalty in the shootout to hand Columbus the win.

D.C. United got off to an early lead after Frédéric Brillant bundled home his first goal since July 2017 after Zack Steffen made an unlikely error.

United would only have the lead for nine minutes, as 34-year-old Federico Higuaín, brother of Gonzalo, scored his 13th goal of the season after a scramble in front of goal.

Justin Meram should have doubled the Crew’s lead just minutes later, but he somehow blasted his shot over the net from six yards. He would be substituted in the 61st minute after another less-than-stellar performance.

The second half was very competitive as the two teams engaged in a highly-entertaining back-and-forth battle, which was highly emotional in front of a loud sell-out Audi Field crowd.

The teams came nearly came to blows in the 72nd minute after Luciano Acosta and Crew manager Gregg Berhalter engaged in a physical altercation on the sideline.

D.C. United came into the match tied for the most goals in the final 30 minutes (29), while Columbus was tied for the fewest goals after the hour-mark (16).

However, neither team could find the back of the net in the second half and much to the New York Red Bulls delight, the match would head into extra time after both goalkeepers came up with incredible saves at the end of regulation.

Pedro Santos thought he had the match-winning goal in the 85th minute, but Bill Hamid came up with a beautiful fingertip save to keep the score at 1-1.

Just after the 90th minute, Zack Steffen made his first save of the night, tipping Luciano Acosta’s effort just over the bar.

Six minutes into extra time, Higuaín completed his brace to give the Crew a 2-1 lead. Harrison Afful’s cross found the Argentine in the box, and the 5’8″ striker headed Columbus in front.

Though the match looked out of reach for D.C. United, Nick DeLeon produced a moment of magic to equalise just before the full-time whistle.

From a set piece, DeLeon volleyed home a failed clearance to score his first goal in over two injury-plagued seasons.

The match would then go to a shootout and after Higuaín buried the opening penalty, Wayne Rooney was spectacularly denied by Zack Steffan.

After a round of converted penalties, Gyasi Zardes was denied by Bill Hamid after a poor effort on goal. D.C. United would equalise and it was 2-2 after three rounds.

After another made penalty, Luciano Acosta also had his effort denied by Steffen in spectacular fashion.

Patrick Mullins, who was traded to the Crew by D.C. United earlier in the season after Wayne Rooney signed, then stepped up with a chance to be the hero
 but his penalty struck the post after the wind caused the ball to move prior to the kick.

Nick DeLeon, the hero in extra time, then stepped up with a chance to rescue D.C. United, but he leaned back and skied his effort well over the bar, giving the Crew a 3-2 shootout win.

Columbus Crew will face Supporters’ Shield winners New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, with the first leg set to take place on 4 November.