The Columbus Crew and Colorado Rapids came into Sunday's match at Crew Stadium tied for eighth place overall in the MLS standings, and each looking to gain an advantage over the other heading into the final stretch of the season.
It looked as if Eddie Gaven's goal just before halftime would hold up to give the Crew the upper hand in the battle between the teams, until Conor Casey headed home five minutes before the final whistle to leave nothing decided as the teams played to a 1-1 draw.
As is becoming customary when the Crew play at home in recent months, the game got off to a bit of a slow start and easily featured more fouls (10) than shots (four) through the first 25 minutes.
Late in the first half both sides interjected a little life into the game. The Crew, unable to create any quality chances through combinations with their forwards and midfielders, began to work some defenders forward in the attack. Frankie Hejduk began to get more involved racing down the right flank, and Stefani Miglioranzi was having an equal effect on the left.
In the 36th minute, Duncan Oughton was pressing the Colorado defense when a misplayed pass found its way to his foot. With Rapids defenders closing in Oughton pulled the trigger quickly, but his off-balance shot rolled harmlessly to Colorado 'keeper Bouna Coundoul.
Colorado responded with a couple of opportunities of their own, the best for Colin Clark, but his shot was deflected out of bounds and the Rapids wasted the ensuing corner kick. Colorado almost drew first blood one minute later when midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy found some room among the Crew defense but his shot was deflected wide.
The Crew pulled ahead just before the halftime break. Miglioranzi worked his way forward in the attack in the Columbus half and spotted forward Eddie Gaven making a run toward the Rapids goal between the defenders. As he was kept just onside, Miglioranzi rolled a 40-yard pass directly into the path of Gaven, carrying him behind the Colorado defense.
Gaven coolly took a controlling touch or two while Coundoul charged out of his net towards him, but the Crew forward was able to the slot the ball past the 'keeper's feet and into the net for his third goal of the year.
In the early going of the second half the Crew did not look to be content with just the single goal. In the 67th minute, Guillermo Barros Schelotto intercepted a pass at the base of the center circle as the Rapids were working forward, and slid a ball in behind the Rapids back four.
Alejandro Moreno was camped out near midfield for the Crew, and when the offside trap backfired, Moreno was off to the races. Before the sturdy striker could finish his 50-yard sprint to goal however, defender Ugo Ihemelu chased him down from behind, despite being around 15 meters behind Moreno when the chase started. Moreno was able to get a shot off, but it blasted off the left post and popped back out in front of the net.
Jacob Thomas, whom Columbus coach Sigi Schmid had just brought on as a substitute, was in perfect position for the rebound, but mis-hit his effort and did not even put the chance on goal as it hit Coundoul, who was still well out of position.
In the 85th minute Colorado got the answer they had been seeking all day. Herculez Gomez was holding the ball in the middle of the field, 25 yards from the Crew goal, and looped a ball to the right wing for Ballouchy.
The second-year midfielder played a dangerous crossing ball in front of 'keeper Will Hesmer and the Crew goal, and Casey was able to sneak through a crack in the defense and powerfully snap a header home to pull the Rapids even and ensure they would leave Columbus with a point and a four-game unbeaten streak intact.
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
