In 2007, the Columbus Crew were experts in conceding late goals that turned victories into ties or ties into losses. So far in 2008, Columbus has been the team possessing the late-game magic, a trait they showed in abundance in coming back to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2.
Despite carving out some good opportunities earlier in the match, Columbus was trailing 1-0 midway through the second half, thanks to a first-half goal by San Jose midfielder Ramiro Corrales. And when Quakes 'keeper Joe Cannon delivered two outstanding saves to deny Ezra Hendrickson and Brad Evans in the 71st minute, Columbus could have been forgiven for thinking it wasn't their night.
But this edition of the Crew stuck to their task, and according to Crew coach Sigi Schmid, it consisted of getting Robbie Rogers more of the ball, something they had success doing earlier in the match.
"We talked at halftime about getting [Rogers] back into the game," said Schmid. "The first 20 minutes I thought we were very effective attacking them on that left-hand side. So we needed to get Robbie more involved."
The Crew executed that plan to perfection, as the young attacker twice got behind the Quakes' defense, and scored two well-taken goals to spark the Columbus comeback.
The goals gave Rogers five on the season, a tally that few could have predicted after he was one of the last cuts from the U.S. under-23 team that qualified for the Olympics. But the Crew midfielder has channeled that disappointment in the best possible way, a fact noted by Schmid.
"I think [Olympic head coach] Peter Nowak did me a little bit of a favor by dropping him from the Olympic team," said Schmid. "I said to Robbie, 'You've got a chance to go out there and prove [yourself].' There are a couple of young, wide players in this league who everyone is saying are making it.
"But at the end of the day, it's all about numbers. He scored three goals last year in limited games, and he's got five goals now in six games. That's what you've got to do. You've got to stick the ball in the back of the net."
Yet Rogers himself notes that this year's edition of the Crew isn't just about flashy plays and lighting up the scoreboard, although there has been some of that. A bigger factor has been the team's attitude.
"We're a little harder, winning the tackles, the balls in the air, as well as the second balls," said Rogers. "And I think we learned from last season. There were games where we played better than the other team, but didn't come away with any points. This season, it doesn't really matter what it looks like. We're just trying to get the points."
That attitude was also evident in the performance of Brad Evans, who entered the game in the 31st minute when Stefani Miglioranzi went down with a strained left quadriceps muscle. Not only did he team well with Brian Carroll in the center of the park, but he delivered a crucial insurance goal that proved to be the game-winner.
"Brad's had a tough go of it early in the season because he was hoping for more playing time," said Schmid. "But he's a player who is very versatile, he can play a number of positions, and I thought he did great with his finish. His first touch off the pass was tremendous, and he obviously finished it very well."
After forging their late comeback, the same could be said of the entire team.
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
