On a chilly night in Chester against a listless first place Columbus Crew team, a goal from the resurgent Sebastien Le Toux was all the Philadelphia Union needed to earn their first victory since July 17 with a 1-0 scoreline.

In an effort to breathe life into his team, coach Peter Nowak rang in the changes, most notably bringing 16-year-old Zach Pfeffer into the starting lineup for his first MLS start. Pfeffer lined up alongside Roger Torres and Freddy Adu forming a creative, if undersized, midfield. With Gabriel Farfan returning to the left back spot, Michael Farfan moved up to occupy the second holding midfield role alongside Brian Carroll, while Le Toux was preferred as the lone front runner.

The Columbus ranks were depleted, with Chad Marshall declared unfit and Emmanuel Ekpo suspended for a midweek red card. Long-term injuries to Emilio Renteria and Eddie Gaven further limited coach Robert Warzycha’s options and his team lacked their usual strength and grit.

Tight at the beginning

Despite the apparent weaknesses of their opponent, the Union got off to a timid start, usually favoring the long ball over possession. Roger Torres continued to show the industry he has displayed in recent weeks but he, along with Pfeffer and Adu, failed to generate early opportunities and Sebastien Le Toux found himself on an island.

While the Union were unable to climb into the ascendancy, neither were they threatened. Outside backs Sheanon Williams and Gabriel Farfan did well to marshal the runs of Robbie Rogers and Dilly Duka. In the middle of the park Michael Farfan adapted well to his new role, showing his range on both defense and offense, as he supported the fullbacks in the tackle and provided a creative outlet once the ball was won.

Playing against two large, physical forwards, Danny Califf and Carlos Valdes were rarely forced to leave their comfort zone. With referee Alex Prus allowing the rough stuff, the Crew’s Andres Mendoza and Tommy Heinemann found themselves deprived of service and confidence.

As the half wore on, neither team took control of the match and sloppy turnovers dominated. Roger Torres was the most active attacking force for the Union. Freddy Adu disappeared on the right flank and Pfeffer, while confident and skilled on the ball, struggled with the pace of the game.

Terrific Torres

In the 32nd minute, a moment of magic from Torres sprang Le Toux to break the deadlock. Spinning outside to face defender Shaun Francis, Torres curled a teasing ball beyond the defense from his own half. Just out of the reach of the Crew’s Eric Gehrig, Sebastien Le Toux raced in behind to control the ball before sliding it past a helpless Will Hesmer, who was caught out on the play.

The goal energized the Union and they pressed for a second as halftime approached. Again it was Torres playing in Le Toux, this time the Union man beating Gehrig off the dribble on the end line. He cut his pass back for the onrushing Pfeffer who could not find a clean first touch and ultimately only mustered a soft shot, claimed easily by Hesmer.

Second half

A goal to the good, the Union entered the second half braced for a Columbus push back that never came. Brian Carroll and Michael Farfan grew in stature as the ineffective pairing of Danny O’Rourke and Dejan Rusmir struggled to retain possession for the visitors.

Instead, it would be the Union who had the better of the chances early in the second half, with Roger Torres pouncing on a misplaced clearance and racing passed Gehrig only to toe-poke wide of Hesmer’s net.

Lacking a playmaker to challenge the stout Union defense, Columbus was forced to attack from the wings. But, as in the first half there was no way through and the Union grew in confidence as Columbus failed to threaten. Zac MacMath, in net for his third straight match, earned his second straight MLS clean sheet. More vocal and better in distribution than against New England or Portland, MacMath was rarely troubled and made easy work of the lofted ball that occasionally floated into his area.

Langley debuts

The Union welcomed another debutant in the 80th minute when recently acquired midfielder Morgan Langley entered the match. Acquired only two days before the match from the Harrisbrg City Islanders, Nowak brought on Langley to offer a persistent counterattacking threat as Columbus threw numbers forward looking for an equalizer.

That equalizer would never come as the Union defense saw out a much needed victory.

Philadelphia now sits two points out of first place with a game in hand and one point behind their next opponent, Sporting Kansas City, who lost to Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.