It took longer even than usual, but the Columbus Crew made an early Ezra Hendrickson goal stand up and finally claimed their first victory of 2007, defeating D.C. United 1-0 on Saturday evening at Crew Stadium.
Hendrickson powered home a rebound in the 28th minute, and that was all the Crew would need. The game was delayed by 24 minutes -- with just six minutes remaining on the stadium clock -- because of lightning,
D.C. United came into Saturday's game in Columbus with some unanswered questions regarding their team defense, having allowed six goals in only two games. There had even been some rumblings that the team's familiar 3-5-2 formation would be changed.
But the Crew had some questions of their own -- while they hadn't lost on the year, they hadn't won either, playing to three ties in three games while being shut out twice (though, of course, they had posted two shutouts).
When the teams took the field United settled into their familiar formation, but in unfamiliar uniforms, having ditched their usual black-and-red attire for the maroon of Virginia Tech University. After the game the jerseys will be autographed and auctioned with the proceeds going to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.
The opening minutes of the game were mired in a midfield struggle. Footing and field conditions may have played a part, with players struggling to get to stay on their feet and the ball skipping slightly. Both sides did have early opportunities, most notably for Columbus in the 20th minute when captain Frankie Hejduk found Joseph Ngwenya near the penalty spot with a cross. But Ngwenya's effort was easily handled by D.C. goalkeeper Troy Perkins.
Eight minutes later the tie was broken as Ngwenya found some room down the left wing in transition and laid the ball back for Hendrickson at the spot. Hendrickson's initial effort was cleared away from the goalmouth by Devon McTavish, but the Crew defender was able to gather the rebound and bury the ball in the lower left corner of the net for the 23rd goal of his MLS career, but his first of the year.
United raced right back to the Crew end and Brazilian midfielder Fred, making his first start with United, hammered a powerful drive from outside the area but Gruenebaum was equal to the task and kicked it away.
United squandered another opportunity in the 38th minute. A deflected pass bounced dangerously in front of Gruenebaum and the Columbus goal, and a streaking Luciano Emilio of United barely reached the ball first. But he used his hand to punch the ball into the back of the net, and instead of a goal received a yellow card for his efforts.
United coach Tom Soehn apparently lit a fire under the D.C. players in the locker room during halftime, and the intensity was ratcheted up a notch to start the second half. Six minutes into the half Jaime Moreno found space down the right wing and sent an accurate ball to Fred, but Crew defender Marcos Gonzalez bailed out the Columbus defense with a sliding tackle.
Minutes later Fred took out some of his frustration on Rusty Pierce, bringing down the Crew defender with a dangerous tackle which referee Jorge Gonzalez deemed worthy of a yellow card. Only two minutes later United was penalized again when Gomez went down in the penalty area hoping to draw a foul, but instead garnered his own yellow card for diving.
Gomez narrowly missed a redemption goal in the 68th minute. Hendrickson was whistled for obstruction just outside the penalty area -- already with a yellow card, he could have been sent off. Gomez stood over the free kick 23 yards out and bent it around the wall, but Gruenebaum dove to his left to push away the effort.
The Crew missed two glorious chances to double their lead when substitutes Stefani Miglioranzi and Jason Garey both had open looks, but both missed the target with the United goal at their mercy.
Heavy rain started to fall over Crew Stadium midway through the second half, and when lightning was seen in the area with six minutes left in normal time, referee Gonzalez sent the teams to the locker rooms.
Many of the Crew faithful remained, with some even erupting into a spontaneous parade around the mezzanine level, perhaps in early celebration of their team's first victory this MLS season. The remaining 10 minutes of action, including four minutes of stoppage time, did not disappoint the faithful who stayed, as Columbus garnered the full three points in holding on to their third shutout of the young season.
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
