BRIDGEVIEW, Illinois - The Columbus Crew drew with the Chicago Fire, 2-2, Sunday at TOYOTA Park, thanks to tallies by Eddie Gaven and Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The draw improves the Crew to 16-6-6 on the season, and moves it one step closer to clinching the 2008 MLS Supporters' Shield.
Chicago took the lead early in the proceedings when former Crew striker Brian McBride sent home a Justin Mapp corner kick in the 13th minute for the match's only goal in the first half. The Crew stormed back in the second half when a loose ball found its way to Eddie Gaven at the top of the box, who blasted home the one-timer into the back of the net to equalize the match. Columbus took the lead just two minutes later when Danny O'Rourke found a streaking Robbie Rogers down the right channel. Rogers dribbled upfield and found Guillermo Barros Schelotto with a well-placed cross to the back post, which Schelotto nodded home for his seventh tally of the season. McBride would strike for the second time against his former club late in the second half when Cuauhtemoc Blanco bent a free kick into the box, which Wilman Conde headed toward goal. McBride collected the ball and slotted it into the lower right corner, to tie the game at 2-2.
The Black & Gold now awaits the result of tonight's match-up between D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium which kicks off at 7 p.m. ET. If Houston fails to win, Columbus will clinch the Supporter's Shield for the second time in club history (2004).
NOTES:
• The Crew is now 16-6-6 overall this season and 6-4-4 on the road.
• With the draw, Columbus is now undefeated in its last nine games, with a record of 7-0-2.
• The Crew has scored 18 goals in its current nine game unbeaten streak, while only giving up six.
• The Crew continues to have the best record in MLS when allowing the first goal. It is now 4-6-5 in that category.
• The match was the eighth time this season that the Crew has scored two goals within five minutes of each other.
• They are unbeaten when accomplishing this feat with a record of 5-0-3.
• Eddie Gaven notched is third goal of the 2008 season.
• MVP Candidate Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored his 7th goal of the season, to go along with his current total of 18 assists.
• Recent U.S. Men's National Team call-up Robbie Rogers earned his 3rd assist of the season on Schelotto's goal.
• Former Crew striker Brian McBride scored both Chicago goals in the match. McBride starred for Columbus from 1996-2003, and is tied for the most goals in club history with 62. Today was the first time McBride had faced his former team in an MLS match.
• The Crew returns to action next Saturday, Oct. 18, against the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium. The match will be televised live locally at 7:30 p.m. on ONN.
