• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

United crushed by Crew as Higuain nets two

Mar 9, 2014 - 3:26 AM Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Federico Higuain tallied a goal in each half as the Columbus Crew's 2014 MLS season got off to a flying start on Saturday with a 3-0 win over D.C. United at RFK Stadium.

Jairo Arrieta opened the scoring in the 18th for Columbus, which was playing its first match under new head coach Gregg Berhalter, while Higuain converted from the penalty spot in the 27th minute and capped the win with a goal in stoppage time.

United won just three games last season, and after a disappointing start to this campaign, head coach Ben Olsen will hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

The opening goal came after some nice build up play from Columbus that saw Josh Williams make a run down the right wing and get in behind the United defense. He then crossed the ball to the front of goal for Arrieta, who applied the final touch.

Bobby Boswell went close with a header for the home side in the 25th minute, but Columbus went up two goals shortly after as Perry Kitchen brought down Michael Parkhurst inside the penalty area, allowing Higuain to convert the subsequent spot kick.

Justin Meram almost found the net for the Crew in the 78th, only to be thwarted by a fine stop from United goalkeeper Bill Hamid.

But Meram instead set up Higuain's second goal as the Argentina native prodded home the low pass from six yards shortly before the final whistle.