The Columbus Crew capped their 2006 season with a 2-0 victory over Municipal of Guatemala in a friendly at Crew Stadium on Wednesday evening. Ned Grabavoy and Kei Kamara tallied on each side of the halftime to provide the score line in a match that Crew featured 20 players, including guest player Stefani Miglioranzi.
Miscommunication between goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum and his defense nearly led to a goal for Municipal in the 32nd minute. Claudio Albizuris snuck in to get the loose ball but fired the shot over the open net.
The Crew jumped ahead 11 minutes before the break on a well taken shot from Grabavoy. Ricardo Virtouso served a free kick into the box that the Municipal defense was able clear. Grabavoy waited for the loose ball and fired a low, driven shot from 25 yards that 'keeper Ricardo Jerez could not keep out of the net.
Despite making eight substitutions, the Crew wasted no time in doubling the lead two minutes into the second half. Jacob Thomas found Kamara at the back post and easily headed the ball past Jerez.
Municipal fought back with a pair of chances, one of which would have been easier to make than miss, in the next 8 minutes. First, Noah Palmer made a nice save to deny Carlos Figueroa in 53rd minute. Two minutes later, Palmer got a piece of a cross but the ball dribbled underneath him. Edwin Villatore got to the loose ball first, but drilled the ball into the ground. The ball bounced over the net to keep the visitors scoreless.
The Crew looked to further extend the lead in the 58th minute, but Jose Retiz's shot from 28 yards struck off the face of the cross bar.
John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
