Aidan Morris scored in the 87th minute on a brilliantly struck 27-yard shot to lift the 10-man Columbus Crew to a 1-1 draw at D.C. United on Saturday night.
Morris’ goal came on a night leading when scorer Cucho Hernandez returned to the lineup following a two-match suspension for violating team policies, only to be sent off for violent conduct for a kickout at a D.C. player in the 75th minute.
It was Columbus’ third red card received in its last four matches covering all competitions. The Crew (3-1-3, 12 points) drew three of those games and lost the other 2-0 at Charlotte two league matches ago.
Christian Benteke’s team-leading fifth goal of the season gave D.C. United (2-1-4, 10 points) the lead in the 61st minute. It was well deserved on a night when they executed an excellent counterattacking game plan from first-year coach Troy Lesesne. But a momentary lapse of concentration late prevented him from earning his first away win.
The Black-and-Red dealt with the first cross from the right, heading the ball clear. But as it fell to Morris, no one closed in, and the midfielder unleashed a ferocious right-footed strike that beat diving D.C. goalkeeper Alex Bono just inside his left post.
Columbus had more of the ball in the opening half, but it D.C. created the majority of the chances.
Jackson Hopkins hit the left post with his effort from distance in the second minute. Then Benteke had a pair of quality chances just before halftime, the first blocked by defender Malte Amundsen and the second saved and eventually held by Patrick Schulte.
Benteke started the sequence leading to his goal when his flick-on header from a previous cross kept the ball alive for Aaron Herrera to reach on the right flank.
Herrera hit a cross that deflected toward the penalty spot, where Benteke reacted well to hit a first-time, side-footed finish that left Schulte little chance.
Bono saved an attempt from Diego Rossi in the 74th minute, and a minute later the Crew were reduced to 10 when Cucho lost his temper.
But Morris, who himself was ejected from Tuesday night’s 1-1 CONCACAF Champions Cup draw with Tigres UANL, came to the rescue 12 minutes later.
–Field Level Media