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, but Conor Casey headed home five minutes before the final whistle and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
In the 36th minute, Crew midfielder 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. Stefani 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. 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, but Moreno was able to get off a shot that caromed off the left post and popped back out in front of the net. Jacob Thomas, who Columbus coach Sigi Schmid had just brought on as a substitute, got a foot on the rebound, but was unable to convert.
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.
The Crew returns to action on Saturday, when it will play host to the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. at Crew Stadium.
