Despite a flurry of changes -- and sometimes snow -- the Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls were unable to settle their differences to open the 2007 MLS season, playing to a scoreless draw Saturday night at Crew Stadium.
Youngster Andy Gruenebaum for the Crew and veteran Ronald Waterreus both kept clean sheets in goal as the teams shared the points. That meant that for the Crew it will be the first time since mid-July of last year they are not occupying the Eastern Conference cellar.
The Crew began the match with a starting 11 that largely resembled the squad that finished last season. Offseason acquisitions Andy Herron and Danny O'Rourke made their debuts in the Black & Gold. Additionally, Frankie Hejduk made his comeback following a serious knee injury that forced him to miss most of the 2006 season and the World Cup.
The home side got the first good look at goal in the 20th minute. Waterreus was unable to cleanly handle an innocent-looking header by Jason Garey. With the ball loose in the six-yard box, a melee ensued but the Red Bulls were able to clear the ball from danger.
The Red Bulls fired back with a pair of shots from distance starting in the 27th minute. First, Dave van den Bergh hooked a left-footed shot wide of the target. Seven minutes later, Dema Kovalenko volleyed a dangerous shot from the right wing that Gruenebaum was able to parry out for a corner.
Gruenebaum again denied the visitors in the 40th minute with a save very appropriate for the icy evening, a kick save. Red Bulls youngster Josmer Altidore got free from the Crew defense on the right side, but his efforts were not enough to open the scoring.
Columbus came out in the second half determined to control possession. They earned a corner kick in the 51st minute following one of the promising attacks. Eddie Gaven found Marcos Gonzalez near the spot where the Chilean defender redirected the ball back towards the near post. Fellow defender Ezra Hendrickson tried to sneak the ball in at the near post, but was able only to find the side netting.
The Crew continued to carry the momentum, but could not finish any of their chances. Gaven, given hordes of space in the center of the field, dribbled straight to goal in the 58th minute. However, his shot was kicked away by Waterreus. Soon thereafter, Ned Grabavoy found Joseph Ngwenya with a nice pass behind the defense and Waterreus was again up to the challenge.
With the outcome in the balance until late, the Crew nearly turned the result in their favor in the 88th minute. Grabavoy found the ball and some space in the middle third. He pushed towards goal and took a well-timed shot from 22 yards. While he did get the ball past Waterreus, he was unlucky to see the ball strike off the post and the Crew had to settle for just a single point.
John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
