PHOENIX, Arizona - The Columbus Crew left Phoenix Thursday with yet another preseason win, after defeating Mexican Primera A (second division) club Indios de Juarez, 3-1, on Wednesday night. The convincing win extends the Crew's winning streak to four in a row.
Columbus started the game sluggishly and out of sync and Indios de Juarez made it pay with a goal in the 31st minute. After Ezra Hendrickson lost possession of the ball in the Crew's box, goalkeeper Jon Busch was left with a one-on-one situation and he was unable to make the stop, allowing the first goal of the game. That would be the only scoring of the first half and the Crew went into the break down 1-0.
The second half would prove to be a different story altogether as Columbus came out of the break looking much more focused and precise. The second-half flurry began just four minutes after the restart as Ned Grabavoy sent a pretty cross into the box which was headed home by Joseph Ngwenya to tie the score at 1-1. The Crew would get its second goal of the match after a Danny Szetela blast from just outside the box was parried successfully by the Indios 'keeper, but Jason Garey was in prime position for the rebound and he sent home the game winner in the 68th minute.
Columbus would continue to maintain possession and apply intense pressure to the Indios defense throughout the second half. In the 82nd minute, the Crew would tally its final score of the game as Stefani Miglioranzi's pass was neatly chipped over the goalkeeper's outstretched arms by Ricardo Virtuoso for the go-ahead goal.
The Crew returns to Columbus Thursday night and is scheduled to resume training on Monday (Feb. 26). It will train in town until March 8, before departing for Dallas and the Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup, which is scheduled for March 11. Trips to southern California and North Carolina will follow. The Crew opens the 2007 MLS season at home on Saturday, April 7, against Claudio Reyna and the New York Red Bulls.
Columbus Crew vs. Indios de Juarez (Preseason Exhibition Match)
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - Grand Canyon University soccer stadium
Scoring Summary:
IND - 31st minute
CLB - Joseph Ngwenya (Ned Grabavoy), 49 minute
CLB - Jason Garey, 68th minute
CLB - Ricardo Virtuoso (Stefani Miglioranzi), 82nd minute
Crew Lineup - Jon Busch (Andy Gruenebaum 45), Marc Burch (Jose Retiz 60), Chad Marshall (Leonard Griffin 60), Ezra Hendrickson (Chris Leitch 60), Rusty Pierce (Brandon Moss 60), Joseph Ngwenya (Ricardo Virtuoso 60), Duncan Oughton (Stefani Miglioranzi 60), Danny O'Rourke (Juan Cobain 60), Ned Grabavoy (Aaron Chandler 60), Kei Kamara (Jason Garey 60), Eddie Gaven (Danny Szetela 60)
