|
|
Crew Shutdown Red Bulls To Extend Home Unbeaten Run
The mark is now 18 matches unbeaten at Crew Stadium following another impressive performance by the reigning MLS Champions.
Jun 30, 2009 5:13:58 AM
By Shane Evans
The Crew continued their march back to the summit of the Eastern Conference standings on Saturday when they beat the New York Red Bulls 1-0 in what was a rather dull match.
Few chances were had by either side but the difference was the defending champs capitalized on theirs and were able to squeak out the win in the rematch of last year’s MLS Cup Final.
First Half
The pace to open the match was quite slow as both teams were seemingly feeling each other out, having not played one another since the final last November.
As always, the brightest player on the field was Guillermo Barros Schelotto whose vision was on display early when he threaded a nice ball into the middle in the 9th minute that rookie Eric Brunner couldn’t connect with cleanly, despite being open.
New York didn’t lie down and let the Crew pile on the pressure for the entire match either as soon after Brunner’s chance, New York began to ask questions of the Crew defense. Steady possession followed.
The best chance of the beginning stages came off of the foot of GBS who had the ball played into him on the left as he surged into the box. A quick shot with the left boot sailed just over the crossbar. Showed good intention from the Crew.
As quickly as it came, the middle portion of the first half went, with no real noise made. It wasn’t until near the closing whistle of the first stanza that real waves were made.
Columbus forced a corner that was taken by who else, GBS. Playing it in hard to the middle, Steven Lenhart rose well and connected with a rocket of a header that Alfredo Pacheco was able to knock wide for a second corner.
It was the second of the two where the real damage was done as GBS flighted in another corner that this time was met by Chad Marshall’s head and guided brilliantly into the far side of the net. Questions could be asked about Marshall’s antics about getting to the ball, but nothing was called and the Crew finally led.
The score stayed that way going into the break as the whistle blew shortly after the goal was scored. 1-0 Crew.
Second Half
If you thought the first half was slow, the second half outdid it’s twin. Few real chances were created in the early going, as both sides were happy just passing it around.
New York had the edge as the second half got going, with Jorge Rojas seeing quite a bit of the ball. The Red Bulls best chance of the game came off of the talented Venezuelan’s boot in the 57th minute. Rolled along perfectly to him, he smashed a shot that deflected off of Chad Marshall and then much to the chagrin of anyone in red and white, the post. Tough break.
The second half belonged to Robbie Rogers though, as the young winger seemed to hear my write “Is it more or does Robbie Rogers just look a lot less dangerous this season?” in the Live Commentary, and proceeded to stamp his authority on the rest of the match. Streaking runs, steady shots, nice passes were all the name of the game for Rogers.
His play, combined with the always-intelligent movement of the Crew saw the second half be dominated by the home side. The Red Bulls didn’t have their spurts, but simply weren’t able to create enough quality chances to make anything happen at the other end. Not to mention the fact that Crew keeper Will Hesmer was on his game.
Before you could blink, the match came to a halt and the Crew had won another one. Now only a point back of DC at the top of the Eastern Conference, the Crew will welcome the very same club a week from tonight in a huge showdown set for ESPN2.
As for the Red Bulls, their winless streak is now up to 10 matches. Salvation might be around the corner though as their next match is against one of the West’s most ineffective teams, FC Dallas this coming Saturday.
Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page!
The Crew continued their march back to the summit of the Eastern Conference standings on Saturday when they beat the New York Red Bulls 1-0 in what was a rather dull match.
Few chances were had by either side but the difference was the defending champs capitalized on theirs and were able to squeak out the win in the rematch of last year’s MLS Cup Final.
First Half
The pace to open the match was quite slow as both teams were seemingly feeling each other out, having not played one another since the final last November.
As always, the brightest player on the field was Guillermo Barros Schelotto whose vision was on display early when he threaded a nice ball into the middle in the 9th minute that rookie Eric Brunner couldn’t connect with cleanly, despite being open.
New York didn’t lie down and let the Crew pile on the pressure for the entire match either as soon after Brunner’s chance, New York began to ask questions of the Crew defense. Steady possession followed.
The best chance of the beginning stages came off of the foot of GBS who had the ball played into him on the left as he surged into the box. A quick shot with the left boot sailed just over the crossbar. Showed good intention from the Crew.
As quickly as it came, the middle portion of the first half went, with no real noise made. It wasn’t until near the closing whistle of the first stanza that real waves were made.
Columbus forced a corner that was taken by who else, GBS. Playing it in hard to the middle, Steven Lenhart rose well and connected with a rocket of a header that Alfredo Pacheco was able to knock wide for a second corner.
It was the second of the two where the real damage was done as GBS flighted in another corner that this time was met by Chad Marshall’s head and guided brilliantly into the far side of the net. Questions could be asked about Marshall’s antics about getting to the ball, but nothing was called and the Crew finally led.
The score stayed that way going into the break as the whistle blew shortly after the goal was scored. 1-0 Crew.
Second Half
If you thought the first half was slow, the second half outdid it’s twin. Few real chances were created in the early going, as both sides were happy just passing it around.
New York had the edge as the second half got going, with Jorge Rojas seeing quite a bit of the ball. The Red Bulls best chance of the game came off of the talented Venezuelan’s boot in the 57th minute. Rolled along perfectly to him, he smashed a shot that deflected off of Chad Marshall and then much to the chagrin of anyone in red and white, the post. Tough break.
The second half belonged to Robbie Rogers though, as the young winger seemed to hear my write “Is it more or does Robbie Rogers just look a lot less dangerous this season?” in the Live Commentary, and proceeded to stamp his authority on the rest of the match. Streaking runs, steady shots, nice passes were all the name of the game for Rogers.
His play, combined with the always-intelligent movement of the Crew saw the second half be dominated by the home side. The Red Bulls didn’t have their spurts, but simply weren’t able to create enough quality chances to make anything happen at the other end. Not to mention the fact that Crew keeper Will Hesmer was on his game.
Before you could blink, the match came to a halt and the Crew had won another one. Now only a point back of DC at the top of the Eastern Conference, the Crew will welcome the very same club a week from tonight in a huge showdown set for ESPN2.
As for the Red Bulls, their winless streak is now up to 10 matches. Salvation might be around the corner though as their next match is against one of the West’s most ineffective teams, FC Dallas this coming Saturday.
Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page!
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.