The Columbus Crew stretched their unbeaten streak to six games Saturday evening at Crew Stadium, getting goals five minutes apart late in the second half to defeat Real Salt Lake 2-0.
Columbus got off to a decent start to the year only to go through a terrible streak in the months of May and June. But things are now turning around for the Black and Gold and the results are starting to show. With the victory Saturday, the Crew climbed to within a point of Eastern Conference leader D.C. United.
"We really attribute this to the guys because when we were going through the bad streak they did not stop believing in what we were trying to do," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid of his team's resolve. "They kept fighting and there was no disharmony. The guys stayed together off the field and now it feels good to turn it around."
The Crew won just once in the first two-plus months of the season, and after that April 28 win against United, they lost four of their next six. But things turned around with a comeback from two goals down against then-Eastern Conference leader New England to grab a 3-3 tie on June 16 -- and the Crew haven't lost since.
"When you are playing well you look forward to coming to training and hanging out with the guys," said forward Alejandro Moreno. "We are really doing the work on the field and it is transferring into goals. As long as we are getting points at the end of the game, that is what we want."
Team defending has been crucial to the Crew's recent success, and Saturday marked the third consecutive game that they held their opponents scoreless. Will Hesmer has been the starting goalkeeper for the squad during the team's recent resurgence, and his performance lately cannot be overlooked.
"He's undefeated right now, so that's a good thing," said Schmid of Hesmer. "[Our goalkeepers] have been very steady for us all year. ... I think it gives your defense confidence."
The majority of the contest Saturday was a scoreless draw until Guillermo Barros Schelotto stepped to the penalty spot in the 76th minute and buried the spot kick in the back of the net. Only four minutes later, Eddie Gaven, who came on as a substitute 15 minutes earlier, turned home a Moreno cross to double the Crew lead.
"It feels good for the team to get the points. Hopefully we can keep that going," said Gaven. "Confidence is the key. Once we get that first goal we know we can get the second."
Veteran defender Frankie Hejduk sees things moving in the right direction for his team tight now, and wants to see them continue to do so for the rest of the season.
"We're coming together as a team," said Hejduk. "When you play good team offense and good team defense things usually go well."
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
