A hat trick of Federico Higuain assists helped lift the Columbus Crew SC to a 3-2 win over the New York Red Bulls.
Jonathan Mensah scored his second goal of the season six minutes after kickoff when he latched onto a sensational Higuain free kick and headed past Luis Robles to put the Crew SC in front.
Bradley Wright-Phillips equalized eight minutes later. Sean Davis’ tenacity forced a turnover in the Columbus defensive third and the midfielder slid a pass to Wright-Phillips, who turned and slipped a low shot inside the far post for his 16th goal of the season.
Justin Meram raced onto a Higuain pass, cut inside of Fidel Escobar and fired inside the far post from 16 yards out to give the Crew SC a 2-1 lead in the 54th minute.
After Josh Williams flicked in a Higuain corner kick at the near post to double Crew SC’s lead in the 67th minute, second-half substitute Gonzalo Veron scored from the penalty spot following Video Review to pull the Red Bulls within 3-2 five minutes later.
Goals
6’ – CLB – Jonathan Mensah
14’ – NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips
54’ – CLB – Justin Meram
67’ – CLB – Josh Williams
72’ – NY – Gonzalo Veron (PK)
