As the MLS playoff race heads down its stretch drive, every point is precious. For the Columbus Crew, their 1-1 draw Sunday with the Colorado Rapids was a case of two points lost, rather than one point gained.
The teams came into the match tied for eighth place in the MLS overall standings and the last spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. They ended the game in the same position, just two points ahead of the Chicago Fire. But for the Crew, it was one of just four home games remaining on the season.
The Crew had taken the lead into halftime through an Eddie Gaven goal in stoppage time of the first half, but in the final six minutes of the match Colorado netted the equalizer via the head of Conor Casey.
"We dropped two points today, it's very disappointing and that's the only way to look at it," said defender Rusty Pierce. "We played well the majority of the game but that is not enough. The goal at the end of the game is unacceptable."
For the Crew, it was a fifth consecutive game without a victory -- not an ideal situation for the end of the season.
"For sure, it was a big game, with the tight playoff race, being at home and coming off a little bit of a slide," said goalkeeper Will Hesmer. "We really could have taken the three points but we let it get away from us."
Gaven's goal in the first half was a direct result from a fantastic pass from midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi, who was able to deliver Gaven a rolling ball that put him in behind the Rapids defense running towards goal.
"It was a beautiful pass that hit me in stride," said Gaven. "I had the easy part, just kicking it in the net."
The Crew had their chance to put the game away midway through the second half, but Alejandro Moreno hit the post and Jacob Thomas was unable to knock the rebound into an empty net.
"We definitely should have had three points from this game," said Gaven. "This isn't the first time this year that we have given up late goals and it has cost us three points. This time of year it is definitely tough when you are giving up goals so late in the game, because games matter so much more this time of year."
The game didn't have a playoff-like intensity with the afternoon start, but still, there was no doubting its likely importance on the final standings.
"It was a tough game to have any intensity because of the number of whistles and the conversations after the whistles," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid on the flow of the game. "It took away from both teams, the flow of the game and the adrenaline. But it is definitely a game we could have won and we gave away two points."
Now the Crew are down to only seven regular season games, and the reality is, they are going to have to win games and accumulate points, or once again, the Crew season will be over when the regular season ends.
"You hesitate to call games 'must win' games but our time is running short," acknowledged Pierce. "If we don't get wins we are not going to be in the picture at the end. We cannot rely on other teams to sneak us in the backdoor, we need to start winning some games."
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
