Philadelphia Union have gone level on points with Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City in the MLS Eastern Conference with a 3-0 win over Columbus Crew.

John Hackworth's men jump up above New England and into fifth place, trailing leaders Montreal Impact by four points.

The home side were nothing short of dominant in the first period, missing countless opportunities to take the lead before Brian Carroll put them in front.

Carroll, playing against his former club, beat visiting goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum with a right-footed drive from just outside the box to open Philadelphia's account with 25 minutes on the clock.

It was 2-0 just four minutes later when a Sheanon Williams strike from inside the six-yard box doubled the hosts' advantage, Carroll turning provider this time by nodding on a corner.

The goal flurry continued, with Philadelphia storming into a three-goal lead just after the half-hour mark courtesy of Conor Casey's close range header from Sebastien Le Toux's cross.

The visitors had plenty of efforts on goal, but their accuracy left a lot to be desired, as time and time again they failed to work Zac MacMath in goal.