Although they are two teams headed in opposite directions, the Columbus Crew and Los Angeles Galaxy found even ground on Saturday afternoon, playing to a 1-1 draw at Crew Stadium.
The teams traded goals five minutes apart in the opening quarter-hour. Eddie Gaven scored early on to put an end to the Galaxy's long shutout streak, but Peter Vagenas struck back almost straightaway on a deflected shot for his first goal of the season.
The Crew were also fortunate to see shots from Herculez Gomez and Landon Donovan come back off the post, as they stayed undefeated all-time against the Galaxy at Crew Stadium. But the Crew still saw their winless streak reach 10 games, while the Galaxy saw their unbeaten streak extend to six games.
The Galaxy were forced to make two changes from the side that played to a scoreless draw with Chivas USA last weekend. Ugo Ihemlu, returning from a one-match suspension, joined Benjamin Benditson in replacing suspended defenders Tyrone Marshall and Chris Albright.
Crew head coach Sigi Schmid was also forced make a change due to a suspension as Leonard Bisaku replaced Jose Retiz in the midfield. In addition, Schmid opted for Bill Gaudette between the pipes, who made his first start of the season after suffering a broken hand. Gaudette becomes the fifth goalkeeper to play for the Crew this season, tying an MLS record set in 1998 by the Miami Fusion.
The Crew earned the first good look at goal in the eighth minute. A corner kick from Marc Burch went beyond the goalmouth, but was kept in by Leonard Bisaku, whose sliding effort set up Eddie Gaven in front of the goal. Gaven received the ball too close to Galaxy 'keeper Kevin Hartman and retreated to find space for a shot, but his effort struck the outside side netting.
But the home side struck just one minute later. Ryan Coiner tracked back to the center circle to pick up the ball and sent a timely long ball to Jacob Thomas on the right wing. The fleet Thomas rounded the corner of the Galaxy defender and drove a cross into the goalmouth, where Eddie Gaven had Ugo Ihemelu beaten by a step. Gaven dived in to easily head the ball past the helpless Hartman to put an end to the Galaxy's shutout streak at a team-record 521 minutes.
Yet the Crew's first lead since June 24 lasted only five minutes. Columbus failed to completely clear a corner kick, reaching only as far as Josh Gardner just outside the area. He settled the ball and laid it square for Vagenas, who shot from about 25 yards. Unfortunately for Gaudette, the shot deflected off Crew fullback Chris Leitch and wrongfooted the 'keeper, looping into the net to level the match.
With the equalizer, the visitors pressed forward for the lead. However, in the 18th minute, Gomez was denied by Gaudette and the post on the same shot. Landon Donovan split a pair of Crew defenders before slipping Gomez through, who lashed a shot toward the far post. Gaudette got just enough of the ball to deflect it off the base of the far post.
Forward for a corner kick, Columbus defenders Marcos Gonzalez and Ezra Hendrickson nearly teamed up for a goal in the 29th minute. Gonzalez tracked down the clearance near the corner flag and did a superb job in working a cross into Hendrickson despite being tightly marked. Hendrickson was somehow able to work his way around a pair of defenders and get off a shot despite an awkward first touch, but his shot rolled just past the far post.
The presence of Hendrickson pushing up the right wing continued in the second half and it almost boosted the Crew to the lead seven minutes after the break. The former Galaxy player found space and served the ball to another in Marc Burch at the far post. While it appeared the unmarked Burch had plenty of time for a settling touch before shooting, he instead decided to volley the ball first-time and it went just over the goal.
The Galaxy created their own chance in the 58th minute. Donovan and Gomez worked the ball back and forth with a string of passes that ended with a backheel pass from Gomez to Donovan. Just when it seemed Donovan had an open shot from 12 yards, Ritchie Kotschau stepped in to block the shot.
After surviving the chance by Donovan, the Crew gifted him a better chance seven minutes later. Thomas made a poor back pass to Gonzalez. Donovan intercepted the ball and went in alone on Gaudette. Donovan picked out the far post and beat the Crew netminder, but his curling shot struck off the corner of the post. The ball came right back at Donovan, but Ritchie Kotschau stepped in to clear the ball.
The Black & Gold dominated the possession over the games final 15 minutes as the Galaxy seemed content with the tie, but the Crew rarely could translate the possession into a legitimate opportunity. The best chance came from substitute Kei Kamara one minute from time. The rookie forward received the ball near the top of the penalty box and quickly turned, but Hartman gobbled up his low shot.
The result left the Crew in sixth place in the Eastern Conference -- despite the opportunity to pass three teams, at least for the moment, with a victory. The Galaxy also failed in a chance to close the gap in the Western Conference after Chivas USA and Colorado, tied for third, drew 3-3 on Thursday.
John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
