The Columbus Crew's tenuous hold on first place in the Eastern Conference was shaken but not taken, as Eastern rivals Sporting Kansas City and Philadelphia Union played to a spirited 1-1 draw at Livestrong Sporting Park.
Omar Bravo's early second-half tally for KC was equaled just 7 minutes later by a calm finish from red-hot Sebastien Le Toux. It was business as usual for the Mexican and Frenchman, as they each lead their teams in goals for the season, with 9 and 8, respectively. Crafty assists from Sporting's Kei Kamara and the Union's Michael Farfan led to the scoring.
The sellout crowd at Livestrong Sporting Park was treated to a lively affair, as both sides traded attacks and chances through the evening. Sporting's veteran goalie Jimmy Nielsen had some wily saves to thwart Philly's frontmen, and young Zac MacMath was tested often, but was equal to the attempts of Kamara and CJ Sapong. The 20-year-old impressed with 4 saves on the night, but was notably aided by the woodwork when Kamara's first-half header clanged off the crossbar and out of play.
With the midweek result, Kansas City moves into a tie for first place with Columbus at 41 points, and Philadelphia now hovers a point below the two at 40 points. The Crew have played as many games as Philadelphia, but have one game in hand on new co-leaders Kansas City.
With both KC and Philadelphia idle this weekend, Columbus has a chance to re-establish itself as the sole team atop the Eastern Conference with a home match against the league-leading Los Angeles Galaxy.
Kansas City's next match gives them an opportunity to make their move, as they'll be facing the Crew at home in a match that could well decide which team comes out on top in the East. Philadelphia will try to gain their own ground in the race with a nationally-televised Thursday night home tilt with rival DC United.
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