Columbus Crew

On Sunday, the MLS season draws to a close rather than reaching an exciting climax.

The Columbus Crew take on Red Bull New York in what threatens to be a travesty of justice.

Columbus, who finished on top of the standings with an impressive 57 pts, face not the next best team in the MLS, no...that would make too much sense, no they take on Red Bull New York, who finished eighth.

The MLS take a similar approach to their grand final as the NFL, teams must progress through a playoff system, so it beggars the question, why put so much effort into the season and finish top?

I'm not having a go at the NFL, their system is perfect for what they do.

This match could have huge consequences for the game as a whole in America. The two teams in the final are polar opposites in every way imaginable.

Columbus Crew are probably the best footballing side in the MLS, and with playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto recently named as the league's MVP, it would seem that the league recognise this, too.

The 35-year-old Argentinian and ex-Boca Juniors player only signed from Columbus at the start of the 2007 season, and with his 19 assists and seven goals, is largely responsible for the dramatic turnaround at the Crew.

His 19 assists makes him the second most creative player in a season, behind Carlos Valderrama, who holds the current record of 26 assists, from the 2000 season, Valderrama was 39 at the time.

In contrast to Columbus being the nicest side on the eye are Red Bull New York. Owned by the famous energy drink company, they scraped their way into the playoffs, only winning 10 games all season and finishing with 40 pts.

But they have discovered that by playing defensively, hitting teams on the break, and riding their luck through three playoff games, they are on the verge of becoming the best team in America.

New York's main players are also veteran's of the game. Juan Pablo Angel provides the cut and thrust up front and is the sole provider of flair in the team. Dave Van Den Bergh is the key to the defensive setup, and his role in midfield has been key on their road to the final.

Recognising the negative approach that New York employ, Van Den Bergh recently commented, "I'd rather win ugly than lose beautifully. Italian teams are always ugly. Who gives a damn? All I see is four World Cups."

There is nothing wrong with the Dutchman's view point. As a professional footballer, he makes his living by winning matches.

What is cause for concern for the MLS as a whole is that Commissioner Don Garber seems to agree.

"This thing is an incredible positive, when the Giants get to a Super Bowl on a wild-card or with a .500 record, it's heralded as a great story. But when the Red Bulls do it, it's a joke? It's a great story and we need great stories," he said when asked about New York's poor record.

It's one thing for a player, especially on a winning team to come out with comments like these. It's another thing completely for the Commissioner to issue them.

The problem with Garber's comments is that he is condoning the negative approach that New York employ. He is also condoning teams finishing outside the top places in the league. With the game in its infancy in the States, he should be promoting the "beautiful game" instead of promoting New York's style.

For the last few seasons the MLS Finals have been poor matches. And the playoffs haven't been much better.

The league in America is desperate to enhance its poor reputation, both home and abroad. And it won't entice fans with promoting "winning ugly." The technical quality of the game is viewed unfavourably around the world and this cause won't be helped by the best team not winning the league.

That the MLS have decided to stick with the playoff system is strange to say the least. Too many poor teams qualify for the final run-in (eight from 14).

The MLS would be better served with a more conventional approach to the league. The team who finish top should win, and if it's romance they want, then a proper cup competition would make sense.

The league also has an over-reliance on older foreign players. The game needs the profile that some of these players provide, but surely it would be better served by letting youth have a chance?

Red Bull New York winning the final might provide a great story. But it won't do the league any favours in the long run.

One can only hope that ugly doesn't win this weekend.

Que los jugadores no tienen técnica, que no dan más de cinco pases seguidos, que los partidos son aburridos, que se abusa del pelotazo, que las canchas son de fútbol americano, que los hinchas no tienen pasión. Un sinnúmero de críticas y argumentos. Todo, claro, nos llevan a lo mismo: La MLS es una liga mala.

Pero, es tan así? Cuántos de los críticos saben del desarrollo de esta liga en los últimos años? Cuántos de verdad se han sentado a ver un partido completo? Cuántos de estos han visto jugar a un muy buen equipo como el Columbus Crew esta temporada? O al mismo Chicago Fire.

Cuál es la diferencia entre un Cobreloa vs.Unión Española, Cúcuta vs. Junior de Barranquilla, Aucas vs. Barcelona o Toluca vs. San Luis y un partido New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution? De verdad son tan distintos? Y si lo son, por que son mejores los de ese lado del mundo?

Sólo porque nos sentimos dueños del fútbol o porque nuestro nivel es tan alto que da como para que nos riámos de los norteamericanos?

Es cierto que el fútbol de Estados Unidos es menos técnico que el latinoamericano, pero es también cierto que es más rápido y frontal. Los jugadores nuestros buscan el pase preciso, los Americanos prefieren la verticalidad. Los nuestros más pulcros, los Americanos más físicos. Los nuestros no creen mucho en el juego aéreo, los Americanos pasan largos minutos tratando de encontrar cabezas.

Distintos. Ni mejor ni peor. Distintos. Nuestro fútbol y el que se practica en la MLS son diametralmente opuestos. Y cuando se trata de elegir uno u otro, son factores, muchas veces sin ningun tipo de fundamento, los que marcan la diferencia. Que los gringos esto y que los gringos esto otro. Y una vez más; que las canchas, que los hinchas.

Y que pasó con el fútbol Mexicano? O ya todos se olvidan de lo que nos provocaba esa liga hace 15 años? Cuántos escépticos que se rieron de los esfuerzos que los Mexicanos hicieron por mejorar su competencia están ahora, mendigando un contrato con cualquier equipo azteca! Entrenadores, jugadores, representantes, "entendidos".

No creo que la MLS esté a la altura de las grandes ligas del mundo. En lo absoluto. Pero se está moviendo y el hecho que me tenga a mí, incrédulo por naturaleza y amante del buen fútbol, pendiente de sus pasos, algo ha de significar.

El delantero argentino del Columbus Crew, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, recibió hoy jueves el premio al Jugador Más Valioso de la temporada 2008 en la MLS (MVP).

El "Mellizo", en su segundo año en el fútbol de la Major League Soccer, llevó al Crew a conseguir el mejor récord de la liga con 17 partidos ganados, siete empatados y tan sólo seis perdidos, ademas de llevar al equipo hasta la final del campeonato por primera vez en su historia.

Además, Guillermo Barros Schelotto lideró la MLS con 19 asistencias y anotó siete goles.

"Es muy lindo haber conseguido este premio, pero será más lindo ganar la final", dijo Barros Schelotto en conferencia de prensa, tras recibir el reconocimiento.

"Es mejor ser campeón que ser el mejor jugador. Eso es lo que uno se propone al inicio de la temporada".

Bien por Guillermo, se lo merece. Su venida a la MLS definitivamente ha ayudado a la liga.

The MLS Cup this weekend matches features the Columbus Crew, the best team during the MLS regular season, against the New York Red Bulls, the Cinderella team in the playoffs.

This game promises to be open and entertaining with two of the best players in the league going head-to-head. New York’s Juan Pablo Angel and Guillermo Barros Schelotto of Columbus are both candidates for the league MVP award. Together, these South American stars combined for 21 goals, thrilling fans with their explosive skills this season.

Schelotto is our choice for MVP this year as he has been the catalyst behind the Crew attack all season. New York counters with Angel, the deadly striker who has regained his scoring touch after an injury-plagued first half of the season. With 14 goals since the All-Star break Angel carried the Red Bulls into the playoffs and now to the final.

One of the keys to the game is how Angel does against MLS defender of the year Chad Marshall. The Red Bulls need Angel to win this battle if they are to have any chance of winning.

The Red Bulls, however, are not a one man team. They have Danny Cepero, who is the hottest goalkeeper on the planet at the moment. Unless he has a terrible game Sunday, he has to be a shoe-in to win the playoff MVP trophy. All this from a keeper who had not played a minute of MLS soccer six weeks ago.

Red Bulls coach, Juan Carlos Osorio, has gone through challenges ranging from losing Jozy Altidore (Villareal), having Claudio Reyna retire (a blessing, with all due respect), and the suspensions of keeper Jon Conway and defender Jeff Parke. Osorio is obsessive about tactics and preparation, and he will certainly have his players ready for Sunday.

In short, the Red Bulls are organized, workmanlike, resilient, and lucky, all at once. Opponents have hit the post six times over the past two games .

If I am a Crew player or fan I am probably a little ticked off at all the attention the Red Bulls are getting. After all, it was the Crew who won the Supporters Cup and defeated the second best team in MLS last week (Chicago Fire) to get to this game. The Crew has the league MVP and yet all MLSnet.com is talking about is the Red Bulls.

The Crew have the advantage across the park. Marshall versus Angel will be an interesting battle, but this game will be decided in midfield.

The primarily battle will be between Schelotto and the Red Bulls rookie Luke Sassano. Sassano has been a revelation in the playoffs as he has outplayed Houston Dynamo’s star Dwayne De Rosario and Real Salt Lake playmaker Javier Morales. However, Schelotto is a step up in class and I cannot see the Red Bulls winning the battle in midfield.

If Columbus controls the midfield that means that their wide players Robbie Rodgers and Eddie Gaven will get the opportunity to run at the Red Bulls defense. Rogers got the better of the Red Bulls last time they faced each other two months ago and Chris Leitch will have his hands full trying to contain him.

I think Columbus has too many playmakers for New York and I expect them to capture the MLS Cup for the first time in their history.

The game on Sunday has a 3:30 (ET) kickoff and will be shown on televised live nationally on ABC, with JP Dellacamera and John Harkes calling all the action, and Allen Hopkins and Pedro Gomez reporting from the sidelines.

Hey folks, there's a new movie coming out. It's about an average team that has had some rough spots and hasn't done many things right in the past 12 years. They go through coaches as much as people go through a pair of shoes (about a year); and players almost never stay at the club. The captain went into retirement; their star player got sold to a bigger club for millions; and a couple of their players have been banned from the sport because of illegal substances. They barely make it into the playoffs and somehow make it to the championship. There they meet a club that almost twice as good as them and then...

Sounds like a good storyline for a movie, doesn't it? Well, this is no movie. I just reviewed the Red Bulls entire season into one paragraph. The New York Red Bulls are only a victory away from winning MLS Cup. It might sound like fiction to many sports and soccer fans who have followed the exploits and misadventures of the original MetroStars and the Red Bulls. It seemed the club could do very little right from the onset. However, after what seems like a miracle, they find themselves on MLS's biggest stage - the MLS Cup Final.

In their 13 season history, New York has gone through more coaches (11 in 13 years) and players (202) than any other club in Major League Soccer. What is worse, they haven't been able to gain the exposure people thought they would in New York. In essence, the New York Red Bulls can be considered Major League Soccer's greatest underachievers, much like Newcastle United is in the Premiership.

However, no longer are they just an average club. With a good mix of young and old players, the Red Bulls have found their stride and could be on their way to becoming MLS Champion.

The club couldn't be where it is now without its young players. Let's take a look at some highlights.

- Rookie midfielder Luke Sassano, who turned 23 on Oct. 14, hadn't started a game since the 2-0 win against Toronto FC on Aug. 17 ane then became a forgotten Red Bull, appearing in two more regular season games as a second-half substitute. But after the 5-2 regular-season ending debacle of a loss to the Chicago Fire in which Juan Pietravallo played poorly and after Seth Stammler learned he would miss the postseason with a knee injury, coach Juan Carlos Osorio decided to use Sassano in the defensive midfielder role. He could not have done any better, limiting two-time MLS MVP Dwyane De Rosario to no goals or assists in the upset of the two-time defending champion Dynamo and playing very well Saturday night.

- Midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic, a second-year pro and 25 years old, had last seen the starting lineup Sept. 6, when the Red Bulls lost at the Fire. Ubiparipovic played some 25 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake on Oct. 9. When Venezuelan international midfielder Jorge Rojas, the team's playmaker, underachieved, especially in the regular-season finale, Osorio decided to turn to Ubiparipovic to run the show at central midfielder. Like his good friend Sassano, Ubiparipovic has done a tremendous job, not only on the attack, but on defense as well.

- Thrust into the starting job when verteran Jon Conway was banned for illegal substances, young Danny Cepero has become a very very good goalkeeper. On his debut in October 12th, a freak accident happened - he scored a goal from a 80-yard free kick. Guess who he scored against? None other than the Columbus Crew. Since then, Cepero has remained the Red Bulls starting goalkeeper. He's done a pretty good job at it too.

Let's not forget about the hardened veterans of the club. Without them, the youngsters might not be as good as they are.

- Juan Pablo Angel, 33, might be best known as a goal-scoring machine, but his presence in the locker room has been vital to the team's success. According to Red Bulls players, Angel is the last thing from a foreign player who is a diva. He may be talented, but he has a blue collar mentality, setting an example as the hard-working player. If Angel can do it, the rest of the team has to fall into line.

- Midfielder Dave van den Bergh - the other David in the news on the same day the Los Angeles Galaxy signed David Beckham on Jan. 11, 2007 (the Kansas City Wizards traded van den Bergh to the Red Bulls for a third-round supplemental draft choice) -- has been the team's most consistent player since literally the first minute of the season, scoring seven regular-season goals and one in the playoffs (yeah, the game-winner against RSL). Actually, make that the 47 seconds. In the Red Bulls' season opener on April 5. Van den Bergh, 31, stunned the Giants Stadium crowd by connecting for the fastest goal in club history. After taking a pass from Ubiparopovic, van den Bergh found himself with the ball on the left side and let loose a 24-yard shot for a 1-0 lead the game only 47 seconds old en route to a 2-0 triumph.

Goes to show that a club who gels together goes and wins together (or something like that).

Now like any good sports movie about a down-on-their-luck team, the Red Bulls have to face their biggest opponent on the biggest stage - the Columbus Crew at the MLS Cup Final. The Crew have been a monster this season and go into the final as the favorite. New York is hoping to spoil the party. New Yorkers should take heart in knowing that the Red Bulls have a 2-1 record against the Crew.

There's really only way to explain this phenomena: expect the unexpected.

The 2008 MLS Cup Final is set. After 30 regular season games and two rounds of playoffs, two teams are left standing. The Columbus Crew will meet the New York Red Bulls at the Home Depot Center on November 23rd and play for the MLS Cup.

I'll recap the playoff semifinals and give you an in-depth preview of the season finale.

Eastern Conference Final: Chicago at Columbus

Here's what I predicted: Chicago wins a tight one 3-2 thanks to their trio of McBride, Blanco, and Chris Rolfe.

Here's what actually happened: Well, I wasn't completely wrong, and I can't stress that enough. While Chicago actually lost the game by the score of 2-1, Brian McBride gave Chicago a brief lead with one of his trademark headers. And Columbus did score two goals.

I've got to give a mention to David Wilson, who not only predicted Columbus would win, but nailed the final scoreline as well. Top shelf stuff, David, well done.

But Chicago's potent offense abandoned them at the worst possible time. They managed eight shots, compared to Columbus' five, but only one Fire shot found the back of the net. To add insult to injury, the Columbus crowd booed McBride, their former standout, every time he touched the ball.

"The fans can react however they want," McBride told ESPNsoccernet.com. "It doesn't change the fact I enjoyed my time here with the city and the organization." How quickly Crew fans have forgotten the 62 goals McBride netted for the club during his time in Columbus.

While the hometown fans were on McBride, they also had every reason to cheer on their own team.

Defender Chad Marshall opened Columbus' account just four minutes into the second half on a set piece orchestrated by the Crew's Argentinian star Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Schelotto had a hand in setting up Columbus' second goal just six minutes later as he headed to Alejandro Moreno, who headed to Eddie Gaven, who slotted the ball home for the game-winning goal.

Thanks to Schelotto, who should win the league MVP unless voters have been living under a rock for most of the season, Columbus is advancing to their first ever MLS Cup Final.

Western Conference Final: New York at Salt Lake

Here's what I predicted: At this point in the playoffs, I don't think we can expect the upset bug to strike twice in a row. New York wins this one in extra time, 2-1.

Here's what actually happened: I missed the final scoreline, but New York did end up winning by a single goal, 1-0. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that New York has now won two straight playoff games, on the road, when they only managed a single road victory during the regular season.

New York's dangerous Dutchman Dave Van den Bergh scored the game's lone goal in the 28th minute, silencing a crowd of just over 20,000. From then on, it was up to New York to simply find a way to hold on.

"Hold on" is the perfect way to describe what New York managed to do. The Red Bulls weathered an incredible 24 shots and six corners from their hosts in keeping a clean sheet. Numbers don't tell the whole story, of course. Salt Lake's Javier Morales hit the post with a shot in the fourth minute of stoppage time, a mere 20 seconds before Jair Marrufo blew the final whistle.

This was football at its finest. One team desperately hoping for a late equalizer while the other frantically defends, desperate for their first birth in an MLS Cup Final.

New York's suddenly stout defense has led them to two straight playoff victories. Juan Carlos Osorio will be hoping he can coax an excellent performance out of his team for a third straight match.

2008 MLS Cup Final: New York vs. Columbus at the Home Depot Center

Season series: New York won the season series 2-1-0

Series overview: This is a tough series to predict. We've got two newcomers to the MLS Cup Final facing off. We've got the winners of the Supporters' Shield against a team who barely made it into the playoffs. We've got a team who was the model of consistency during the regular season against a team who beat them twice, scoring five goals in those two games.

You can expect the unexpected next Sunday.

Columbus rides in full of momentum having just dispatched the second-best team in the East and a trendy upset pick in the Chicago Fire. New York could have been playing the "we're just happy to be here" card the whole time, but haven't looked like it in dispatching the defending MLS champion Houston Dynamo and playoff newcomers Real Salt Lake.

Here's what Columbus must do to win:

• Guillermo Barros Schelotto must show up. As Schelotto goes, so goes the Crew. He's been their best player this season and is one of the best distributors in MLS history. If Columbus want to score goals, Schelotto is the man that will be setting them up. His 19 regular season assists on 50 Crew goals (just shy of 40%) would seem to back that up.
• Contain Juan Pablo Angel. Angel will be one of the most dangerous men on the field next weekend. He can score from distance, he can tap in rebounds, and he can just be a general nuisance for defenses everywhere. Angel brings plenty of big-time experience to New York and must be stopped if Columbus is to win. In three games against Columbus this season, Angel has three goals.
• Win the goalkeeping battle. New York rookie netminder Danny Cepero made his MLS debut on Oct. 18th against the Crew. When the dust cleared 90 minutes later, Cepero had scored one of New York's three goals in a 3-1 victory. Keep Cepero off the scoresheet.

Here's what New York must do to win:

• Get solid defensive play. New York has looked better in the last two games than they have all season, and it's started with defense. They've gotten two straight clean sheets from Danny Cepero and have been very successful with a "bend, not break" philosophy in back. Columbus boasts a strong offense, so the New York back line will need to be ready.
• Dave Van den Bergh must play well. While JP Angel is obviously the big name on New York's roster, Van den Bergh's play is a very good barometer of how New York will fare in a given match. When he makes an impact offensively, good things happen for the Red Bulls. If Van den Bergh steps up, Columbus will have to account for multiple offensive threats and could be stretched out at the back.

Prediction: New York has had a wonderful playoff run, but I suspect that they may be running out of gas. Columbus finished with the best record in a strong conference for a reason, and will put the finishing touch on their great run next Sunday. Expect a resounding 3-1 victory for the Crew as they hoist their first ever MLS Cup.

The Columbus Crew’s history can sort of be summed up by that old saying:

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

They had been to the playoffs several times, but they had never made it to the “Big Game”, the MLS Cup Final.

Well, since their leader all those seasons was Brian McBride, I guess it was more like “always a Mcbridesmaid," but I digress.

For a little while tonight, McBride looked like he was going to have a fairy tale ending to his big return to MLS. Unfortunately for the Crew, he doesn’t play for them anymore. After years plying his trade abroad, his 29th minute goal for the Chicago Fire appeared to be the figurative cherry on top of an already memorable run for the veteran player. But, karma came for Mr. McBride Thursday night at Columbus Crew Stadium.

McBride is still the Crew’s leading scorer. It must have been hard for the Columbus faithful supporters to watch him notch that first goal. McBride’s goal would have been all the Fire needed on most nights this season due to their stingy defense. But not tonight. Instead, the Crew rallied back to score two second half goals and advance to their first MLS Cup Final.

Both CMB goals were (predictably) generated by assists from Guillermo Barros Schelotto. If Schelotto doesn’t win the MVP, I will quit watching MLS. The man has earned that recognition (and if I see Donovan win one more award, I’ll lose it). Now I know why fans of Schelotto’s squad in Argentina literally held a protest outside his house when he threatened to leave the club. He’s that good. 

The first goal of the night was fittingly scored by defensive captain Chad Marshall, who has earned his Defender of the Year honors. The second goal was notched by Eddie Gaven, who has made a nice claim this year to be invited to some U.S. Nats games in late 2008 and early 2009. Both were attributable to Schelotto though, who quite simply has been a revelation in Ohio this year.

It’s hard to believe that the Crew, a charter member of MLS, had never qualified for the Cup Final until tonight. Their dramatic turnaround is not just about Schelotto though. It’s really more of a testament to Sigi Schmid’s coaching and personnel decisions than anything else.

He deserves much of the credit for this miracle run and he has certainly earned the Coach of the Year honors he recently received. Their huge season (17-7-6), which can be attributed to his tactical decisions, actually managed to get them just back above .500 all-time (166-165-67).

It seems the Crew have come full circle and finally broken their Cup Final hex. They will now play for MLS’s highest honor against the winner of this weekend’s RSL/NYRB showdown. 

Oh yeah, and did anyone actually go ahead and bet my prediction for this game? I nailed it. Exact. Not too hard to pick the home team by one you say? Tell that to most of the so-called experts who predicted Blanco and the Fire would be playing at the HDC for the MLS Cup instead of the classy Crew.

In this time of great international economic uncertainty, my predictions may be the only thing out there you can bet on these days and feel confident.

Well, maybe not. My predictions aren’t that good.

After all, I didn’t exactly see this one “from the start."

One of the two feel-good teams of the year has fulfilled its dream of going to the MLS Cup final. The Columbus Crew defeated the Chicago Fire, 2-1, on Thursday.

The match looked to be a tough matchup and it didn't disappoint. Within the first twenty-five minutes, there had already been tackles and yellow cards shown. Fifteen seconds into the match,Marshall tackled Cuauhtemoc Blanco along the right touchline without a foul being called. Bakary Soumare from the Fire was issued a yellow card in the 22nd minute for tackling Gaven.

It wasn't until the 29th minute that any club scored. Brian McBride powered home one of his famous headers to give the Fire a 1-0 lead. Justin Mapp had floated in a cross toward McBride who easily converted the goal. This was McBride's first match against his former club with an opposing MLS club. Instead of a heart-warming home reunion, banners read "Wanted. McBride. Treason." and chants of "Traitor" could be heard. Any time he was part of the action, McBride was booed.

For the rest of the first half, the Crew could not find a goal. It wasn't until the beginning of the second half that the Crew drew level. A free kick from Schelatto lead to a header goal from Marshall who beat McBride to get the ball. The score was now 1-1.

The match was now in the Crew's favor as they played with a renewed vigor. In the 55th minute, the Crew pulled ahead with another header goal courtesy of Gaven. The Fire attempted to get a goal back, but the Crew held on long enough to win the match 2-1, and advance to the MLS Cup final.

After going 11-2-2 at home during the regular season, the Crew won both playoff games, giving them eight in a row at home, outscoring the visitors 18-3 with five shutouts. Each time the Fire and Crew met during the regular season, the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Both clubs had their own award winners. Chicago had Jon Busch who won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year while Columbus had Marshall who won MLS Defender of the Year.

The next semifinal match between the New York Red Bulls and the other feel-good club, Real Salt Lake, will take place on Saturday. The winner of the match will meet the Columbus Crew in the final.

The Columbus Crew, as expected, beat the Kansas City Wizards 2-0 to win their Eastern Conference semifinal Saturday.

The Crew, the top seed in the MLS Cup, extended their home-unbeaten streak to 10 games and will meet the Chicago Fire in the conference final.

The Crew got rolling early when Brad Evans put them one up after only seven minutes. The goal settled the nerves of the Crew players and fans, who were looking for their first playoff win in more than six years. Evans said:

“B.C. [Brian Carrol]) just lifted his head, picked me out, and played a nice ball, I think it was over Conrad. It kind of turned him around a bit. As soon as the ball hit the ground, I saw Hartman out of the corner of my eye. [My] only option really was to put it up high. Luckily, it took a good bounce.”

Columbus put the game out of reach early in the second half when Robbie Rogers knocked in a cross from Alejandro Moreno. “It was a great ball. I just had to keep it on target,” Rogers said. “Both goals came at important times. The first set the tone. The second made them change their formation and it was easier for us to get the ball."

The Columbus Crew are now 90 minutes away from reaching the MLS Cup Final for the first time in the club’s existence. The match-up with the Fire will take place this Thursday, Nov. 13,  with a 7:30 EST kick-off.

Columbus won the regular season series with two wins and a 3-3 tie in Columbus on July 17, and I expect them to defeat the Fire this Thursday and go onto their first MLS Cup.

A goal in the second minute of stoppage time by substitute Steven Lenhart earned the top-seeded Columbus Crew a 1-1 draw with the Kansas City Wizards in the first leg of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Kansas City had taken the lead via Davy Arnaud in the 53rd minute, but the Wizards were forced to play with 10 men for the final 15 minutes after Herculez Gomez was sent off for a hard foul.

Columbus pressured late and finally broke through when Lenhart controlled a bouncing ball at the top of the 18-yard box and fired a right-footed shot into the lower left corner to even the score.

 

The second leg will be played next Saturday at Columbus.  Buy Crew vs Wizards Tickets