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Columbus 2-2 Toluca: Lenhart Brace Leads Crew Back In CCL Match
Steven Lenhart scored twice to give Columbus a 2-2 draw against Toluca on Tuesday.
| Bet: | Returns: | Toluca £19.50 | Draw £33.00 | Jaguares £35.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Toluca £19.09 | Draw £32.00 | Jaguares £35.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Toluca £19.10 | Draw £34.00 | Jaguares £40.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Toluca £20.60 | Draw £32.50 | Jaguares £32.50 |
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Mar 10, 2010 3:07:00 AM
Toluca took a two-goal lead into the second half but could not hold on as Columbus Crew leveled the match with two late goals as the two teams tied 2-2 in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match.
Steven Lenhart scored both goals for the Crew, who shook off some early rust to pull out the result.
Toluca, meanwhile, were unable to convert their two-goal edge into an advantage and head home needing a victory to overcome the MLS side.
First Half
Toluca trotted out a lineup full of regulars. On the field were such standouts as Antonio Naelson "Zinha" as well as goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera. Carlos Esquivel and Hector Raul Mancilla were notable absences but the club's lineup was strong nevertheless.
Columbus, meanwhile, had to do without some key players. Defender Chad Marshall and forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto were notable absences. Playing their first competitive match of the season, the Crew fielded a team that featured regulars throughout as well, including Robbie Rogers, Emmanuel Ekpo and William Hesmer
Despite having traveled nearly 2,000 miles to get to the match, Toluca were up for Columbus' early challenge. Rogers and Eddie Gaven were active in the midfield, making up for Barros Schelotto's absence. Lenhart had the Crew's first shot of the match as he had a look at goal in the ninth minute but his attempt went right to Talavera.
Toluca weathered the early storm and started to pressure Columbus' goal. Zinha had a shot on goal in the 16th minute but saw it whistle wide of the goal.
However, his next attempt was right on target. Zinha opened the scoring in the 20th minute. With Columbus pushed up in Columbus' third, Toluca got a quick counterattack. Isaac Brizuela got the ball and pushed it up towards Zinha, who buried his attempt and put the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Columbus fought back as Adam Moffat and Rogers had chances but were off-target on their respective shots.
Near the end of the first half, Columbus gave away another opportunity and Toluca did not disappoint. Raul Nava trapped a ball with his chest and Antonio Rios ripped the shot past Hesmer from long range and the visitors took a 2-0 lead into the intermission.
Second Half
Toluca were seemingly content with their two-goal edge and did not do much to gain possession and maintain the ball. Instead, Columbus came out with the desire for goals.
Early on, Rogers nearly gave the hosts a goal but his shot from the left side of the box was turned away by Talavera.
In the 66th minute, Columbus finally found a seam in Toluca's defense. Emmanuel Ekpo lifted a ball inside the box towards Lenhart, who trapped the ball with his chest and immediately fired a shot on goal before the ball bounced.
The goal gave Columbus even more life and energy, and Lenhart again capitalized. Emilio Renteria, who replaced Ekpo, found Lenhart just outside the box. Lenhart slipped past Diego Novaretti's mark, took one touch to move inside the area and hit a low, hard shot past Talavera and into the back of the net.
Columbus had a few dangerous possessions deep in Toluca's third but could not get the match-winner past Talavera or on frame. Gina Padula had perhaps the best opportunity as he took a free kick from just outside the penalty area, to the left of Talavera, but his attempt was ghastly as the ball sailed over all of his teammates.
Columbus however came all the way back and sent the series to Toluca with an even aggregate scoreline.
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Steven Lenhart scored both goals for the Crew, who shook off some early rust to pull out the result.
Toluca, meanwhile, were unable to convert their two-goal edge into an advantage and head home needing a victory to overcome the MLS side.
First Half
Toluca trotted out a lineup full of regulars. On the field were such standouts as Antonio Naelson "Zinha" as well as goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera. Carlos Esquivel and Hector Raul Mancilla were notable absences but the club's lineup was strong nevertheless.
Columbus, meanwhile, had to do without some key players. Defender Chad Marshall and forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto were notable absences. Playing their first competitive match of the season, the Crew fielded a team that featured regulars throughout as well, including Robbie Rogers, Emmanuel Ekpo and William Hesmer
Despite having traveled nearly 2,000 miles to get to the match, Toluca were up for Columbus' early challenge. Rogers and Eddie Gaven were active in the midfield, making up for Barros Schelotto's absence. Lenhart had the Crew's first shot of the match as he had a look at goal in the ninth minute but his attempt went right to Talavera.
Toluca weathered the early storm and started to pressure Columbus' goal. Zinha had a shot on goal in the 16th minute but saw it whistle wide of the goal.
However, his next attempt was right on target. Zinha opened the scoring in the 20th minute. With Columbus pushed up in Columbus' third, Toluca got a quick counterattack. Isaac Brizuela got the ball and pushed it up towards Zinha, who buried his attempt and put the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Columbus fought back as Adam Moffat and Rogers had chances but were off-target on their respective shots.
Near the end of the first half, Columbus gave away another opportunity and Toluca did not disappoint. Raul Nava trapped a ball with his chest and Antonio Rios ripped the shot past Hesmer from long range and the visitors took a 2-0 lead into the intermission.
Second Half
Toluca were seemingly content with their two-goal edge and did not do much to gain possession and maintain the ball. Instead, Columbus came out with the desire for goals.
Early on, Rogers nearly gave the hosts a goal but his shot from the left side of the box was turned away by Talavera.
In the 66th minute, Columbus finally found a seam in Toluca's defense. Emmanuel Ekpo lifted a ball inside the box towards Lenhart, who trapped the ball with his chest and immediately fired a shot on goal before the ball bounced.
The goal gave Columbus even more life and energy, and Lenhart again capitalized. Emilio Renteria, who replaced Ekpo, found Lenhart just outside the box. Lenhart slipped past Diego Novaretti's mark, took one touch to move inside the area and hit a low, hard shot past Talavera and into the back of the net.
Columbus had a few dangerous possessions deep in Toluca's third but could not get the match-winner past Talavera or on frame. Gina Padula had perhaps the best opportunity as he took a free kick from just outside the penalty area, to the left of Talavera, but his attempt was ghastly as the ball sailed over all of his teammates.
Columbus however came all the way back and sent the series to Toluca with an even aggregate scoreline.
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