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Columbus Claim East Lead With Late Win Over TFC
It took until stoppage time, but the defending MLS champions are now the leaders in the Eastern Conference.
Jul 26, 2009 3:46:28 AM
Jason Garey rose spectacularly two minutes into stoppage time to put Columbus on top of the Eastern Conference
The Crew still have talisman midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto sidelined, but they were nevertheless looking to retain the Trillium cup as well as to set an MLS record with their 19th consecutive regular-season home match without defeat.
Toronto, meanwhile, came into the game on the back of an impressive display against a weakened River Plate side earlier in the week. New signing Ali Gerba was slated in to make his competitive debut for the Reds as Adrian Serioux returned from injury.
First Half
Continuing their recent impressive interplay in previous games, Garey and Steven Lenhart looked to have an almost telepathic understanding and caused Toronto lots of problems. Garey had a decent shout for a penalty declined early in the game when Serioux bundled him over.
Toronto once again employed route one football that coach Chris Cummins has said publicly he loathes.
Gerba had a hard time finding his feet and this tactic became an exercise in accumulating unforced errors. It soon materialized that Amado Guevara was struggling with a left rib injury and had to be replaced by Marco Velez. Subsequently, Jim Brennan moved into midfield. The switch almost bought instant rewards with Brennan bursting into the box and unleashing a shot on target. However, William Hesmer in the Crew goal was up to the task and in conjunction with Gino Padula managed to clear the danger.
Two dangerous tackles from behind by Toronto players in quick succession bought a caution for Carl Robinson, while Serioux somehow managed to get away with his rash challenge. Even though Columbus had built an impressive corner tally, they opened the scoring from open play in the 33rd minute. Patient build up from the home side released Danny O'Rourke down the right flank. He showed great composure in evading a couple of challenges and then cutting the ball back and presenting it on a platter for Eddie Gaven, who made no mistake with his finish to make it 1-nil to the Crew.
Two minutes later, TFC drew level. Marvel Wynne beat Padula for pace to get to the byline and cut the ball back dangerously inside the opposition box. The ball fell nicely for Dwayne De Rosario, who powered home his seventh goal of the season from, what was by his standards, close range. 1-1.
De Rosario combined well with Gerba to set up another chance for himself. This time Hesmer managed to save, ensuring Columbus would go into the break on level terms.
Second Half
Toronto came out in the second half with intent and bossed the play. Ali Gerba seemed to have settled down after struggling in the first half and opened his TFC account three minutes after the break to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage. Hesmer was at fault for the goal as it was his wayward throw that landed straight at the feat of Chad Barrett. Barrett and Gerba exchanged passes with Barrett's eventual final offer making it all too easy for the unmarked Gerba, who had earlier evaded his marker with a skillful pirouette, to score.
Toronto was in control and enjoying lots of possession. Yet, the connection between Lenhart and Garey continued to pose problems for the visitors. Barrett and Gerba were the ones who seemed to be striking a good understanding at the other end. Hesmer this time taking the ball off of Gerba?s toes after the deflection on Barrett's cross gave the goalie the split second he needed to thwart the danger.
An injury to Duncan Oughton led to the introduction of the talented Nigerian Emmanuel Ekpo. This substitution changed the face of the game. Ekpo beat Serioux inside the box in his very first involvement in the game, but no yellow shirts were able to meet his cut back. Thereafter he played some fantastic through balls. First a pass to release Garey, then one that released Lenhart whose volleyed effort went over the bar. Ekpo also made a solo run from inside his own half all they way to the top of Toronto's box and unleashed a venomous shot that was straight at Stefan Frei.
Crew's second substitution, in the 73rd minute, was an attacking move with Padula coming off for Moffat. Pablo Vitti's brilliant cut back and swerving blast that cannoned off the post was followed swiftly by the Crew's equalizer. Carol floated a hopeful ball towards the penalty area where Lenhard fought off his marker and stretched every sinew of his 6 foot 1 inch frame to toe poke the ball past an onrushing Frei. 2-2 and with fifteen minutes left on the clock, game well and truly on.
Toronto used this opportunity to give O'Brian White his debut as he checked in for Barrett. Crew had another decent shout for a penalty declined when Robinson made a rash challenge from behind in the area. Ekpo continued his magnificent display by delivering a pinpoint cross for Garey, but the striker couldn't keep his header down.
Deep in injury time, Frankie Hejduk crossed the ball from the right flank and saw Garey rise majestically to head home a powerful header to give Columbus a memorable 3-2 victory over the Reds.
Toronto's next league assignment is on the road at the New England Revolution. Interestingly, that match is sandwiched between a CONCACAF Champions League qualifier and a prestigious friendly with Real Madrid.
Columbus has shrugged off the unjust tag of being a one-man team by putting on great performances in the absence of Schelotto. They will look to extend their lead atop the eastern conference when they face Colorado on the road next week.
Talha Zaheer, Goal.com
The Crew still have talisman midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto sidelined, but they were nevertheless looking to retain the Trillium cup as well as to set an MLS record with their 19th consecutive regular-season home match without defeat.
Toronto, meanwhile, came into the game on the back of an impressive display against a weakened River Plate side earlier in the week. New signing Ali Gerba was slated in to make his competitive debut for the Reds as Adrian Serioux returned from injury.
First Half
Continuing their recent impressive interplay in previous games, Garey and Steven Lenhart looked to have an almost telepathic understanding and caused Toronto lots of problems. Garey had a decent shout for a penalty declined early in the game when Serioux bundled him over.
Toronto once again employed route one football that coach Chris Cummins has said publicly he loathes.
Gerba had a hard time finding his feet and this tactic became an exercise in accumulating unforced errors. It soon materialized that Amado Guevara was struggling with a left rib injury and had to be replaced by Marco Velez. Subsequently, Jim Brennan moved into midfield. The switch almost bought instant rewards with Brennan bursting into the box and unleashing a shot on target. However, William Hesmer in the Crew goal was up to the task and in conjunction with Gino Padula managed to clear the danger.
Two dangerous tackles from behind by Toronto players in quick succession bought a caution for Carl Robinson, while Serioux somehow managed to get away with his rash challenge. Even though Columbus had built an impressive corner tally, they opened the scoring from open play in the 33rd minute. Patient build up from the home side released Danny O'Rourke down the right flank. He showed great composure in evading a couple of challenges and then cutting the ball back and presenting it on a platter for Eddie Gaven, who made no mistake with his finish to make it 1-nil to the Crew.
Two minutes later, TFC drew level. Marvel Wynne beat Padula for pace to get to the byline and cut the ball back dangerously inside the opposition box. The ball fell nicely for Dwayne De Rosario, who powered home his seventh goal of the season from, what was by his standards, close range. 1-1.
De Rosario combined well with Gerba to set up another chance for himself. This time Hesmer managed to save, ensuring Columbus would go into the break on level terms.
Second Half
Toronto came out in the second half with intent and bossed the play. Ali Gerba seemed to have settled down after struggling in the first half and opened his TFC account three minutes after the break to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage. Hesmer was at fault for the goal as it was his wayward throw that landed straight at the feat of Chad Barrett. Barrett and Gerba exchanged passes with Barrett's eventual final offer making it all too easy for the unmarked Gerba, who had earlier evaded his marker with a skillful pirouette, to score.
Toronto was in control and enjoying lots of possession. Yet, the connection between Lenhart and Garey continued to pose problems for the visitors. Barrett and Gerba were the ones who seemed to be striking a good understanding at the other end. Hesmer this time taking the ball off of Gerba?s toes after the deflection on Barrett's cross gave the goalie the split second he needed to thwart the danger.
An injury to Duncan Oughton led to the introduction of the talented Nigerian Emmanuel Ekpo. This substitution changed the face of the game. Ekpo beat Serioux inside the box in his very first involvement in the game, but no yellow shirts were able to meet his cut back. Thereafter he played some fantastic through balls. First a pass to release Garey, then one that released Lenhart whose volleyed effort went over the bar. Ekpo also made a solo run from inside his own half all they way to the top of Toronto's box and unleashed a venomous shot that was straight at Stefan Frei.
Crew's second substitution, in the 73rd minute, was an attacking move with Padula coming off for Moffat. Pablo Vitti's brilliant cut back and swerving blast that cannoned off the post was followed swiftly by the Crew's equalizer. Carol floated a hopeful ball towards the penalty area where Lenhard fought off his marker and stretched every sinew of his 6 foot 1 inch frame to toe poke the ball past an onrushing Frei. 2-2 and with fifteen minutes left on the clock, game well and truly on.
Toronto used this opportunity to give O'Brian White his debut as he checked in for Barrett. Crew had another decent shout for a penalty declined when Robinson made a rash challenge from behind in the area. Ekpo continued his magnificent display by delivering a pinpoint cross for Garey, but the striker couldn't keep his header down.
Deep in injury time, Frankie Hejduk crossed the ball from the right flank and saw Garey rise majestically to head home a powerful header to give Columbus a memorable 3-2 victory over the Reds.
Toronto's next league assignment is on the road at the New England Revolution. Interestingly, that match is sandwiched between a CONCACAF Champions League qualifier and a prestigious friendly with Real Madrid.
Columbus has shrugged off the unjust tag of being a one-man team by putting on great performances in the absence of Schelotto. They will look to extend their lead atop the eastern conference when they face Colorado on the road next week.
Talha Zaheer, Goal.com
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