The seemingly never-ending losing streak didn't, once again. But the Columbus Crew's 1-1 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Crew Stadium on Saturday afternoon boosted the team's morale and ended a three-match losing streak.
The Black & Gold surged ahead after just nine minutes with a fine goal by Eddie Gaven that evolved from a combination of teamwork and pace on the right flank.
"It was a great team goal. Ryan (Coiner) got the ball around midfield and played a perfect ball over the top to Jacob (Thomas)," said Gaven, on what he called the Crew's best team goal. "Jacob used his speed and got around his guy. He put the ball right on my head. I couldn't have asked for a better ball from him."
The goal came on a classic and quick counterattack.
"We got it and, within five seconds, the ball was in the net," said Gaven. "We've got to do a lot more of it."
The lead, however, was short-lived as the Galaxy quickly and luckily equalized five minutes later. Following a poorly cleared corner, Josh Gardner set up Peter Vagenas for a shot from distance that was inadvertently deflected by defender Chris Leitch, rendering Crew goalkeeper Bill Gaudette helpless.
"It was coming to my left. I was starting to dive and it deflected back to my right," said Gaudette, the Crew's fifth goalkeeper of the season. "I just fell to my knees (while trying to switch directions)."
Added Crew head coach Sigi Schmid: "We took an unfortunate goal on the deflection. It was during a period of time where we were dominating."
Gaudette was rescued by his right post twice to preserve the point for the Crew. In the first half, Gaudette got the slightest of touches on a shot by Herculez Gomez and saw it deflect onto the friendly woodwork.
"Gomez hit it well. I was lucky to get a toe on it. It was just enough to keep it out of the goal," said Gaudette. "Any goalkeeper will say that are happy to keep the ball out of the goal no matter how they do it."
Gaudette had less direct influence over a Landon Donovan shot that hit the post in the second half, but Schmid credited his 'keeper for standing his ground.
"I also thought Bill Gaudette did a good job goalkeeping-wise by standing them up and limiting options," said the Crew boss. "He didn't lean one way or fall one way too early."
The match was Gaudette's first since returning from a broken hand.
"It is big credit to the training staff here. I was supposed to be out for the maybe the whole season or four or five months," said Gaudette "The doctors in Columbus and the training staff here were above average and it is the only reason I am back (now)."
Over the course of the match, the Crew had the better wing play, but had trouble turning the efforts into scoring opportunities by not shooting when open. Thomas and Ezra Hendrickson took advantage of space on the right side while Marc Burch countered on the left.
"Jacob Thomas played a lot more today like I think he needs to play. We still need to use him more in terms of his speed," said Schmid. "Burch, since he has come to us, has done fairly well on the left flank."
"It was good to see Marc Burch playing well," added Galaxy coach Frank Yallop, who recently traded him to the Crew.
The wing play did not convert into goals because the club was trigger shy at the deciding moments.
"When we get our opportunities to shoot, we keep hesitating and pass the responsibility," said Schmid. "I think we have been playing better soccer over the last two games although the results haven't. We had good fortune because they hit the post twice."
Still, the Crew did not lose and mood of the team was much better than after recent matches.
"In the past couple games, we have been coming in here and guys heads have been down. It is not a good feeling," said Gaven. "Today, guys heads are up a little bit. It is not just because of the tie but because we are starting to play a little bit better. Now it is just a matter of building on it."
John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This stiry was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
