Crew see win streak end at RSL
2-0 defeat keeps Columbus six points out of East lead
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Highlights: RSL 2, CLB 0After scoring 10 goals in four games, the Crew were held scoreless by an RSL defense that hasn't lost at home this year.
The Black and Gold fell behind in just four minutes into the match. Before much of the Salt Lake crowd had found their seats, Javier Morales stood over a free kick a few yards outside the top of the penalty area. The RSL midfielder struck the ball low, right at the wall. Standing at the end of the wall, Frankie Hejduk turned just enough for the ball to squirt through and bounce into the back of the net.
Just as the dust was clearing from the goal the Crew defense was under siege again. Andy Williams was given enough space to let a shot go from 20 yards. Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer dove in desperation, although the shot bounced just wide of the post.
Brian Carroll provided the first scoring opportunity of note for the Crew. In the 13th minute, a Columbus corner kick was getting knocked around the area when Carroll got his head on it and directed a shot right into the hands of RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
Hesmer was called upon again in the 17th minute to parry another shot from Williams over the bar. Williams' well-struck shot from distance was heading for just under the bar until Hesmer hopped up to tip it over to safety.
A promising play developed for the Crew in the 31st minute. Guillermo Barros Schelloto laid a nice pass off to Alejandro Moreno on the run. Moreno fired a good shot, but it was blocked by RSL's Nat Borchers.
On the other side of the break Schelotto was creating more dangerous chances for the Crew. In the 50th minute the Columbus playmaker let a shot go from the edge of the penalty area that beat everyone but the post. The shot rocked off the frame and fell to Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran, whose weak clearance went straight to Robbie Rogers. With little time to react Rogers widely sent his shot high and wide.
In the 69th minute Moreno took a chance he didn't seem to expect. The club's leading scorer carried the ball into the Salt Lake penalty area and appeared as though he was looking to cross. After a moment of hesitation Moreno took another touch and then rolled a weak shot wide.
A second half substitution saw Robbie Findley come on for the home side. His insertion nearly paid dividends immediately as one of his first touches was a shot that whistled just wide of the post.
A header from Chad Marshall from a corner kick in the 77th minute was struck with authority, but narrowly missed the goal.
The Crew's hole doubled in size in the 78th minute, on a goal from Findley. The speedy Salt Lake striker was fed by fellow front-man Kenny Deuchar and touched the ball around a charging Hesmer. Danny O'Rourke lunged in a last effort attempt to slow the play, but Findley had already put his shot into the open net.
A bittersweet moment followed in the 81st. Duncan Oughton cranked a volley at the top of the penalty area that was blocked by Beltran.The Salt Lake defender didn't stop at blocking the ball, colliding with Oughton and dropping the midfielder to the turf. After a few minutes on the ground Oughton walked off under his own power, and Beltran received a yellow card for the challenge.
One last chance for the Crew came in the 86th minute when Rogers struck a shot from the end line that Rimando deflected away with his chest.
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
