With their playoff life on the line, the Columbus Crew surged to an early lead and held on for a 3-0 victory against the New England Revolution on Saturday night at Crew Stadium.
Ricardo Virtuoso generated two goals with pace and technical ability that made it a long night for the Revolution defense. Jason Garey and Eddie Gaven scored the goals after New England's keeper Matt Reis made saves on the Brazilian's shots. After surviving two Revolution shots off of the woodwork in the second half, Ezra Hendrickson thwarted any thoughts of a comeback with a goal eight minutes from time.
Crew head coach Sigi Schmid made only one change to a lineup that dropped a 1-0 decision to this same Revolution club on Sunday. Joseph Ngwenya missed the match through suspension after last week's tussle with New England's Andy Dorman, resulting in a red card for Ngwenya. In his place, Virtuoso started for the second time on the campaign.
Virtuoso took no time in making his presence felt on the evening. In the third minute, the Brazilian found the ball in an opportune position and quickly attacked the Revolution goal. Reis blocked his shot, but the ball came out to the penalty spot where Garey pounced on the rebound and fired a shot home for the Crew's quickest goal of the season.
Through two Taylor Twellman efforts in the next seven minutes, the Revolution tried to quickly level the match, but a wayward header and nice save by Crew netminder Bill Gaudette kept the home side in the lead.
The Crew tried to double to the lead in the 15th minute, but Reis pushed the shot out for a corner. Garey and Gaven tag-teamed Jay Heaps and pried the ball away from the veteran defender. Garey slid the ball through to Gaven whose shot could not beat the New England netminder.
With several minutes left in the half, Virtuoso created a pair of chances for Gaven who tucked away the second to give the Crew just their second two-goal lead of the season. On a long ball, Garey flicked the ball over the Revolution defense. Virtuoso chased down the ball just in time to save it from going over the endline and centered the ball. Garey got first crack on the ball, but squibbed his shot. Gaven got the loose ball and knocked his shot over the target.
In the next minute, a very similar play developed but Gaven was able to convert on this chance. Virtuoso again wreaked havoc on the Revolution's backline and put in a cross on which Reis just beat Garey to the ball. Reis got a small poke on the ball, but it still made its way to Gaven. The Crew youngster cut the ball to the center of the pitch and fired home his third goal of the season.
In the 55th minute, the Crew tried to extend the lead following nice passing the midfield. Gaven and Sebastian Rozental worked a give and go at midfield. With Gaven sprung on the right flank, he cut the ball back inside on defender James Riley and served a dangerous ball. Reis managed to get the ball first, but the ball slipped under him and approached the back post. However, Heaps cleared the ball before Virtuoso could pounce on the empty net.
The visitors nearly vaulted themselves back into the match in the 61st minute. Last week's lone goal scorer, Jeff Larentowicz, had his shot from nearly 30-yards bounce off of the face of the cross bar after beating Gaudette.
The Crew dodged another pair bullets as the visitors turned up the pressure on the Crew midway through the second stanza. Gaudette made a nifty kick-save on a Twellman shot two minutes before the crossbar again kept the shutout going for the Crew. U.S. international Clint Dempsey received the ball in the air near the penalty spot and was able to run towards goal while juggling the ball around a defender. Dempsey powerfully struck the ball off of the crossbar from short distance.
Hendrickson capped eventful night with his first goal of the season in the 82nd minute. On a cornerkick, Hendrickson had his first shot blocked by New England midfielder Steve Ralston. However, the lanky defender would make no mistake with his second shot. He placed the ball off the inside of Reis's left post to give the Crew its most impressive win of the season.
John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
