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MLS: Crew Falls To Salt Lake, 1-0, Saturday In First Leg Of Eastern Conference Semifinal
The Columbus Crew fell to Real Salt Lake, 1-0, Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium in the first leg of its Eastern Conference semifinal series.
After a closely contested match which saw both sides able to limit the other’s offensive chances, it appeared that Columbus and Salt Lake were destined to play to a scoreless draw. However, in the 88th minute, RSL’s Will Johnson took a quick throw-in to second half substitute Yura Movsisyan, who promptly sent in a low cross in the direction of Robbie Findley at the near post. Findley was just able to sneak in front of the Crew’s Eric Brunner and slid onto Movsisyan's service, pushing it under goalkeeper William Hesmer and into the net for the last minute game-winner.
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The Crew now faces a one-goal deficit heading into the second leg of its semifinal series against Salt Lake, to be played next Thursday (Nov. 5) at 8 p.m. ET at Crew Stadium. The match will be televised live nationally on ESPN2.
NOTES:
• The Crew’s all-time playoff record now stands at 14-13-4.
• Defender Eric Brunner and forwards Emilio Renteria and Jason Garey each made their first career playoff appearance in tonight’s match.
• Tonight’s match was only the sixth time all season (in 31 matches) that the Crew has failed to score at least one goal. The most recent occurrence was Oct. 25 against New England.
• The Crew will host a playoff rally this Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Easton Town Center from 6 to 8 p.m. in anticipation of Thursday’s deciding semifinal match. Crew players and coaches will be joined by staff, Crewzers Professional Dance Team members and Crew Cat. The general public and media are invited to attend the rally, which will be held indoors in the common area of the Easton Station Building.
Columbus Crew (0-1-0) vs. Real Salt Lake (1-0-0)
October 31, 2009 -- Rio Tinto Stadium
Scoring Summary:
RSL -- Robbie Findley 1 (Yura Movsisyan 1) 88
Columbus Crew -- William Hesmer, Frankie Hejduk, Eric Brunner, Chad Marshall, Gino Padula, Eddie Gaven, Brian Carroll, Danny O'Rourke, Robbie Rogers (Emmanuel Ekpo 85), Emilio Renteria (Jason Garey 77), Steven Lenhart
Substitutes Not Used: Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Andy Iro, Adam Moffat, Alejandro Moreno, Kenny Schoeni
Real Salt Lake -- Nick Rimando, Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Tony Beltran (Robbie Russell 79), Andy Williams, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales (Clint Mathis 75), Will Johnson, Robbie Findley, Fabian Espindola (Yura Movsisyan 65)
Substitutes Not Used: Jean Alexandre, Pablo Campos, Rachid El Khalifi, Chris Seitz
Real Salt Lake Columbus Crew
Total Shots: 8 (Robbie Findley 2) 7 (Steven Lenhart 2)
Shots on Goal: 2 (Findley, Williams 1) 2 (Gaven, Lenhart 1)
Fouls: 15 (Beckerman, Espindola 3) 11 (Steven Lenhart 3)
Offsides: 6 (Robbie Findley 3) 1 (Emilio Renteria 1)
Corner Kicks: 2 (Morales, Williams 1) 2 (Padula, Rogers 1)
Saves: 2 (Nick Rimando 2) 1 (William Hesmer 1)
Misconduct Summary:
CLB -- Brian Carroll (caution; Tactical Foul) 19
RSL -- Kyle Beckerman (caution; Reckless Tackle) 38
Referee: Mark Geiger
Referee's Assistants: Chris Strickland; Bill Dittmar
4th Official: Ramon Hernandez
Time of Game: 1:51
Attendance: 11,499
Weather: Sunny -and- 56 degrees
PaddockTalk Perspective
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