The first half of the match between the New England Revolution and the Columbus Crew has been nothing if not eventful. After Ryan Guy opened the scoring in the 16th minute, three more goals were scored in the course of the next 16 minutes, as Jerry Bengtson, Federico Higuain, and Jairo Arrieta conspired to bring the match to 2-2.
Bengtson's goal came at 23 minutes. The Crew defense was in shambles as Benny Feilhaber played a brilliant through-ball to put Bengtson free and clear on goal. Andy Gruenebaum raced out to smother, but Bengtson got their first, rounded him, and fired into the open net, hitting it off the post just so it wouldn't look too easy.
Just three minutes later, the Crew answered. A questionable foul call about 22 yards out from goal set Federico Higuain up, and he did not disappoint, placing the direct free kick out of Matt Reis' reach and into the top corner of the goal.
Columbus was not done, however. In the 32nd minute, Jairo Arrieta uncorked an absolute blast from a tough angle on the left, beating Reis and slamming it home off the underside of the crossbar.
New England has squandered two or three very good chances, including one great opportunity from Kelyn Rowe right after Higuain's goal.