Columbus Crew Vs. New England Revolution, 2012 MLS: Crew Win A Wild One

The Columbus Crew topped the New England Revolution 4-3 in a pants-on-head crazy match on Saturday night to move within four points of D.C. United for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Revs went 2-0 up at Crew Stadium before the home side answered with three goals of their own to go in front. But New England had an answer, leveling in the 81st minute before Jairo Arrieta scored his second goal of the match late to earn Columbus all three points.

Ryan Guy started the scoring in the 17th minute with a great strike form 25 yards. He got some help from a slight deflection, but it was still a wonderful hit that left Andy Gruenebaum no chance.

Six minutes later, New England was 2-0 up thanks to a perfect ball from Benny Feilhaber. He chipped over the top of the Crew defense right into the path of Jerry Bengtson, who was in behind the back line. Gruenebaum came out of the box to try and beat Bengtson to the ball, but he was too late and the Honduran rounded him before finishing into the empty goal.

The Crew could have easily fallen apart down by two goals, but they didn't. In fact, they got one back just three minutes later. Federico Higuain hit a gorgeous free kick that cleared the wall and found the corner of the net to cut New England's lead to 2-1.

That scoreline lead held until the 81st minute when a silly foul by Julius James gifted New England a penalty. Lee Nguyen buried the spot kick and things were level once again with a draw seemingly the only way that this match could end.

But this being the crazy match that it was, there was one goal left in it. Tony Tchani chipped over the top of the New England defense for Arrieta, who was in all alone on Matt Reis. The birthday boy, who turned 29 on Saturday, finished clinically, earning himself a brace and the Crew a valuable win.