The Columbus Crew jumped out to a two-goal lead early in the second half Wednesday evening against the Kansas City Wizards, and this time the margin proved to be enough. Despite a Wizards goal well into stoppage time, the Crew held on for the 2-1 victory for only their second win of the year.
Before Wednesday night's game the Crew had not gotten a victory in 53 days, but had played most teams tight and had chances to win some close games that they had just not been able to put away.
"For all the hardships and results we haven't gotten lately it feels good to win," said midfielder Ned Grabavoy after the game. "I don't think soccer-wise it was our best performance of the year, but we got the points any way we could today."
And the points are something the Crew desperately need. The aura surrounding the team at the moment is that they really aren't as bad as the standings show, but there is no denying that there is only one team in MLS with fewer points.
"Today was a battle, maybe not the prettiest one, but it is better to win and play badly than to play beautifully and lose," said midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi, whose 61st-minute goal gave the Crew the two-goal lead.
Most of the team felt the same way, happy to get the points no matter how they came about.
"I don't care how we played," said Crew coach Sigi Schmid. "I don't care what it looked like. A win is a win, and we are very happy."
Will Hesmer made his second start of the season in goal for the Crew, and held his former team scoreless for virtually the entire game until a deflected shot bounced past him in stoppage time. Hesmer is the third 'keeper to get the nod as a starter for the Crew this season, but shuns any talk of a goalkeeper controversy.
"Fortunately all three of us [goalkeepers] are really good guys and have a good relationship," Hesmer said. "We're grounded, and we genuinely want the best for each other. Whichever of us is on the field, we know that we have two really great supporters in the other two."
The Crew now must travel to Los Angeles for a weekend match against the Galaxy, leaving only 13 hours to enjoy the win before having to be at the airport on their way to a third game in eight days. The Galaxy are also a team that had been struggling in recent weeks before defeating Real Salt Lake last Saturday; for the Crew, though, the only that will matter in California will be getting a good result.
"We'll take a win anyway we can get a win right now," Hesmer said.
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
