The Columbus Crew Reserve squad defeated the Chicago Fire Reserves, 3-2, Sunday in a Reserve Division match at Crew Stadium.
The first half began with both sides creating chances early, but thanks to the solid goalkeeping play of the Crew's Andy Gruenebaum and Fire's Tyler Kettering, neither team was able to score the opening goal in the match's first 25 minutes.
Columbus would be the first team to take advantage of the fast-paced play, when Cory Elenio knifed through the Fire defense in the 26th minute and loosed a powerful shot that deflected off a Chicago defender on its way into the back of the net.
Chicago would respond with an equalizer less than 10 minutes later, on a breakaway down the left side. Midfielder Logan Pause led the attack down the left channel and dished to the streaking Michael Banner who deposited his shot past Gruenebaum to send the teams into halftime knotted up at 1-1.
It was Chicago who tallied the match's next goal, just three minutes after the restart. Luke Williams again led the Fire attack and found Neil Hlavaty at the top of the Crew's box. Hlavaty's seeking shot found the upper right corner of the net to give Chicago the upper hand.
The Crew generated the match's next offensive threat when Elenio found Steven Lenhart with a pass into the Chicago area, where Lenhart was taken down with a hard foul, earning a penalty kick try. Jason Garey stepped to the spot in the 53rd minute and confidently netted home the penalty kick to once again draw the two sides even.
Both squads would continue the fast-paced, up-and-down play, with the Crew taking final advantage in the 73rd minute thanks to a spectacular individual effort by midfielder Andrew Peterson. Peterson gained possession of the ball at midfield and dribbled up the right channel. While under stiff pressure from the Fire defense, Peterson struck an unexpected, dipping shot towards from 25 yards out, catching Kettering off his line. The Chicago goalkeeper made a diving attempt but was unable to reach the shot well-placed strike before it found the back of the net.
The win improves the Crew to 3-3-1 (10 pts.) on the season, while Chicago moves to 2-3-0, (6 pts.) in MLS Reserve Division play. The Crew Reserve squad will not return to Reserve Division action again until Friday, September 19 when it faces the New York Red Bulls at home. Chicago returns to Reserve Division play next week when it hosts Toronto FC Sunday, July 13.
Columbus Crew (3-3-1) vs. Chicago Fire (2-3-0) (MLS Reserve Division)
July 6, 2008 - Columbus Crew Stadium
Scoring Summary:
CLB - Cory Elenio (unassisted) 35
CHI - Michael Banner (Luke Williams) 44
CHI - Neil Hlavaty (Luke Williams) 48
CLB - Jason Garey (penalty kick) 53
CLB - Andrew Peterson (unassisted) 73
Columbus Crew Reserves: Andy Gruenebaum (Kenny Schoeni 46), Ryan Miller, Devon McKenney, Jed Zayner, Ryan Junge, Cory Elenio, Duncan Oughton, Stefan Miglioranzi (George Josten 46), Andrew Peterson, Jason Garey, Steven Lenhart (Ricardo Pierre-Louis 53)
Substitutes not used: Steve Traeger, Eddie Hertsenberg, Craig Neal
Chicago Fire Reserves: Tyler Kettering, Austin Washington, Lider Marmol (C.J. Brown 46), Daniel Woolard (Peter Lowry 46), Brian Plotkin, Kai Kasiguran, Logan Pause (Luke Williams 31), Neil Hlavaty, Michael Banner (Irad Farahmand 55), Patrick Nyarko (Brad North 55), Stephen King (Jeremy Tolleson 46)
Substitutes not used: Nick Noble (GK)
Misconduct:
None
