Up 4-1 with on aggregate against New York City FC in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the MLS Cup playoffs, Columbus Crew SC seemed to be in good shape to advance heading into leg two.
The Black & Gold were on a 12-match unbeaten run and had just two weeks earlier visited New York City and left with a 2-2 result. A repeat performance would be more than good enough to see the team through.
It appeared simple, but it wasn’t.
“None of us had been in a position where we had that big of a lead,” defender Hector Jimenez said.