The Philadelphia Union left Columbus empty-handed on Sunday, trudging off the pitch with a 2-0 loss to the Crew that stung far more than the score line suggested. Between two self-inflicted defensive errors, a contentious red card that he felt should have been matched by a Crew player walking off as well, and what he described as persistent time-wasting tactics that blunted any rhythm his side tried to build, Carnell left Columbus with more questions than answers.
What was billed as a test of resilience against an Eastern Conference mid-table side quickly unraveled into a night of frustration and confusion. The visitors were handed a frustrating loss after Max Arfsten opened the scoring in the fifth minute due to a Union defensive error, and an own goal by Nathan Harriel in first-half stoppage time doubled the lead.
The sequence also saw Union midfielder Jesus Bueno exit with a leg injury after a tackle from Seko Bangoura. The Union outshot Columbus 11-7 but could not beat goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who recorded a shutout. Union defender Japhet Sery was sent off in stoppage time for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
It was a blunt and honest assessment from the Union boss. Philadelphia had arrived in Ohio with genuine belief, and for stretches of the contest, that belief appeared justified. But in the unforgiving environment, individual mistakes carry a price that is almost always final, and the Union paid it twice.
"Yeah, we had a lot of hope coming into today's game," Carnell said post-match. "And two errors led to two goals, and that was pretty much the game." - Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell
Carnell expressed sympathy for his players, who he believed deserved more from the performance.
"I feel for the guys, because on a day like today, I thought there was more in there for us to get here in a very difficult away stadium here in Columbus. And it's unfortunate that we go home empty-handed." - Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell
Union head caoch, Bradley Carnell, watches from the sidelines in Philly's away match vs Columbus Crew SC
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
Carnell was equally adamant, however, that his team's errors were only part of the story. The red card shown to Jeff, he insisted, was just as decisive in shaping the outcome.
"With Japh, I'm not sure if that's a red card," Carnell said, feeling his side was judged by a different standard than Columbus. "I'm not sure how their player Bongoura stays on the field. For me, it's a deliberate foul, a deliberate red. He gets a yellow, then they rescind the yellow. I'm not sure how that happens as well." - Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell
Compounding the Union's frustration was what Carnell described as deliberate game management by Columbus, a cynical, calculated effort to slow proceedings to a crawl once they had their noses in front.
"A lot of things with the time wasting just led to slowing down the tempo of the game," he said. "Not everything was in our hands today, but we could only try to control the things we can control, and that's the errors that led to the goals." - Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell
Indiana Vassilev plays the ball forward as his coach, Bradley Carnell, watches on.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
The Union will have no choice but to quickly flush this loss. Their next chance at redemption comes Saturday, May 2nd, when they return home to Subaru Park to host Nashville SC. With Philadelphia rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference table with one win, two draws, and seven losses in 10 matches, Carnell and his players must provide the answers promptly. Another empty-handed outing against Nashville, and the questions will understandably only grow louder.
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