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Crew Youngsters Lead Romp Over New York

No Guillermo Barros Schelotto? No problem. Columbus took inspiration from their youthful flankers, Eddie Gaven and Robbie Rogers, and showed why they are the best team in MLS at the moment.

Sep 19, 2008 3:38:48 AM

MLS: Eddie Gaven, Brandon Prideaux, Columbus Crew v. Colorado Rapids, Sep 2, 2007 (ISI)

Columbus Crew 3 - 1 New York Red Bulls

Hurricane Ike roared through Columbus and knocked power out of thousands of area homes this week. But on Thursday night, Crew’s Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven proved to be thunder and lightning, each scoring as the Gold and Black dominating New York from start to finish, and extending their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to 6 points.

New York have been in good form, but they ran into a Columbus juggernaut that is now 6-1-1 since the All-Star Game. Despite not having the services of midfield magician and presumed league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus showed they have the depth and quality to make a serious run at the MLS Cup, especially if Rogers and Gaven continue to play like relentless attacking banshees on the flanks.

First Half
Gaven made his intentions known early, hinting that he was going to be running at the defense all night. His diagonal run into the area was picked out by Pat Noonan, and the former Metrostar curled a left-footed shot that Jon Conway did well to push around the post.

Four minutes later, Gaven spun in tight space at the top of the arc and slammed a 25-yard shot off the right post.

But against the run of play, New York actually got on the scoreboard first. After a few strange no-calls by referee Alex Prus, New York were awarded a freekick 30 yards from the goal in the 21st minute. Juan Pablo Angel, who’s becoming more of a freekick marksman as he ages, swerved a shot over the wall and into the net. Columbus keeper Wil Hesmer should’ve done better, but he saw the ball late and was unable to recover.

A few minutes later, Columbus were denied a penalty. Gaven again the instigator, collecting a pass from Noonan and bursting into the area, Gaven appeared to be pushed over by Seth Stammler, but Prus waved play on. It should’ve been a PK, but ultimately Columbus didn’t need it.

In the 41st minute, they had the equalizer from Frankie Hejduk, of all people. The veteran lion-maned US international pushed up from his rightback position and found himself one-on-one with Jorge Rojas. Hejduk juked once, left the Venezuelan midfielder in his wake and drove forward. Just inside the right corner of the area, Hejduk chipped a shot -- or was it a misplayed cross? -- over Conway and into the bar side netting. It was his first goal of the season.

Second Half
Barely seconds after play resumed, Columbus drove a dagger into New York. Rogers, one of the paciest players in MLS, angled inside from the left flank, cutting across Dane Richards and beating Jeff Parke. The backline, worried about his speed, backed off, so Rogers crushed a dipping, spiraling shot from 25 yards that left Conway flailing at air.

New York created few chances after that, but one came close in the 66th minute when Rojas sprinted 30 yards with the ball, fought off a challenge from Gaven, and bent a shot just over the upper 90.

Columbus then continued their dominance. In the 69th, Gaven’s snap header at the near post just cleared the bar. And seven minutes later, Rogers released Hejduk behind the defense. His shot was saved bravely by Conway, and Rogers’s rebound shot was deflected and eventually smothered by the New York keeper.

In the 77th minute, New York substitute John Wolyniec ran onto a through ball from Rojas. Alone on goal, he shot early from 15 yards, and Hesmer was up to the task, diving low to his right to make the save.

Gaven finally got his just desserts in the 85th minute. Noonan dropped back into midfield, spun, and chipped over the defense to the tireless, overlapping Hejduk. The Crew captain laid the ball off into the middle, where Gaven had the simplest of side foot tap ins to complete the rout. With the game locked, the whole team celebrated with the fans in the Nordecke, the diehard’s corner stand.

Kevin Goldthwaite was shown a red card in the 89th minute when he stupidly kicked at Rogers’s ankles. But by then, the game was done. The storm had finished wreaking its havoc.

-- Greg Lalas, Goal.com

United States

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