Columbus Crew did their damage early and managed the rest of the night with authority, beating Philadelphia Union 2-0 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Major League Soccer on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The hosts were in front inside four minutes and doubled their advantage just before the interval, turning a sharp first-half display into three valuable points. Philadelphia pushed for a route back after the break, but Columbus stayed organized, protected the clean sheet, and saw out the fixture without much late drama until the Union were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time.
Fast start puts Crew in command
Columbus wasted little time seizing control. Max Arfsten opened the scoring in the 4th minute, giving the Crew exactly the sort of start every home side wants. That early goal settled Columbus and forced Philadelphia to chase the match from almost the opening whistle.
The Crew carried more of the ball over the 90 minutes, finishing with 56.1 percent possession, and they were the more efficient side in the final third. While Philadelphia actually produced more total shots, 9 to 7, Columbus made better use of their openings and hit the target four times.
The second goal arrived at a painful moment for the visitors. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Nathan Harriel turned the ball into his own net in the 45’+3′ minute, handing Columbus a 2-0 lead at the break and leaving Philadelphia with a steep uphill task.
Union unable to find response
To Philadelphia’s credit, they tried to make a contest of the second half. The Union won four corners to Columbus’ two and managed two shots on target, but they could not find the final ball or finishing touch needed to change the momentum of the fixture.
Columbus, meanwhile, looked comfortable protecting their advantage. The Crew limited clear danger, stayed compact out of possession, and rarely looked rattled as the second half unfolded with no further goals.
The visitors’ frustration was evident in the disciplinary column. Danley Jean Jacques was shown a yellow card in the 39th minute, while Columbus midfielder Sékou Tidiany Bangoura also went into the book in the 45th minute. Then, in stoppage time, Philadelphia’s night ended on an even sourer note when Japhet Sery was sent off in the 90’+4′ minute.
By the numbers
Although the final margin was two goals, this was not a one-sided shot count. Philadelphia finished with nine attempts to Columbus’ seven, but the Crew were more composed where it mattered most. Columbus put four efforts on target compared to the Union’s two, a stat that reflected the hosts’ sharper edge in both boxes.
In the end, the first half told the story: Arfsten’s 4th-minute strike and Harriel’s own goal in the 45’+3′ minute gave Columbus a cushion they never looked like surrendering.
For the Crew, it was an efficient, professional home performance. For the Union, it was another frustrating night in front of goal and a reminder that chasing matches from behind can be costly against disciplined opposition.
