COLUMBUS – Jack McInerney scored the go-ahead goal in the 88th minute in his home debut and the Crew SC beat Sporting Kansas City 3-2 on Saturday night.
Michael Parkhurst sent a long ball to Federico Higuain, who forced goalkeeper Tim Melia to make a diving save that deflected to McInerney. The open tap-in was McInerney’s 37th career goal. He is the second youngest MLS player (23) to reach that mark behind the Crew’s Stern John (1998-99).
Tony Tchani tied it for the Crew (10-8-8) in the 80th minute, finishing Tyson Wahl’s glancing header.
Graham Zusi gave Sporting (11-6-7) a 2-1 lead in the 62nd minute with a right-footed blast from the top left corner of the 18-yard box.
Marcel de Jong opened the scoring in the 14th minute for Sporting and Ethan Finlay answered for the Crew in the 35th minute.
The game was played in front of sellout MAPFRE Stadium crowd of 20,018.
Crew SC next plays on Saturday when it travels to the Bronx to play New York City FC at Yankee Stadium (4:00 p.m./Time Warner Cable SportsChannel).