Crew record gutsy, important win against Philadelphia Union

In a blustery, cold MAPFRE Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Columbus Crew dug deep and got a massive three points against the league-leading Philadelphia Union as Artur and Krisztian Nemeth powered the Black & Gold to a confidence-reviving 2-1 victory.

The Crew was buoyed by the return of Lucas Zelarayan, Darlington Nagbe, and Gyasi Zardes to the starting lineup. The trio hadn’t played together since the Sept. 6 match against FC Cincinnati. It didn’t mark the return of the free-wheeling attack of the summer, but the trio added an extra spark.

That spark almost ignited immediately as Columbus nearly broke through very early with a sixth-minute chance. Zelarayan slipped his defender with a cut…