The Philadelphia Union took advantage of a calamitous early error from Columbus Crew goalkeeper Eloy Room to score the only goal in a 1-0 victory on Saturday night at Subaru Park.
Two minutes in, the typically dependable Room fumbled Jose Andres Martinez's early cross across his line for an own goal. His attempt to catch the service actually redirected it goal-bound, when it otherwise might have sailed wide of the far post for a goal kick.
The result was all the unbeaten Union required to record a fifth consecutive victory and fourth straight clean sheet to keep their place atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Andre Blake made three saves in the victory. On his best, a leaping denial of Lucas Zelarayan's free kick just before halftime, he also absorbed a punishing collision between his left shoulder and the right post, but remained in the game.
Room made up for his early error in defeat with five stops total and three one-on-one denials, but enough damage was done to inflict the Crew's second consecutive 1-0 defeat. He twice thwarted Daniel Gazdag from close range to halt the Hungarian's goal-scoring streak at four games.
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