Columbus Crew
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2 - 1
This match has ended. Upcoming related matches:
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Colorado Rapids
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Columbus Crew vs Colorado Rapids Live Streams and TV Channels
| Country | Channels |
|---|---|
| United States | Telefutura |
| Other Countries | |
| United Kingdom | Setanta Sports 1 |
| *Don't see your country or favourite channel listed? Let us know and we will include it. | |
Columbus Crew vs Colorado Rapids Match Preview
Columbus return home for this playoff second leg trailing Colorado 1-0. A Pablo Maestroni goal in the first half held up to give the Rapids victory and allow them to travel East with a one goal advantage. Two important clearances from central defender Drew Moor also played a part in the victory.Guillermo Barros Schelotto was substituted in the first leg defeat, but the 2008 MLS MVP is expected to start here, and will be a key figure in this game as the Crew try to claw back the deficit. Columbus will enter the game with backup goalkeeper Andy Grunebaum between the sticks, after starter Will Hesmer broke his leg in the regular season finale.
Colorado Head Coach Gary Smith has singled out Grunebaum as a potential weak link for Columbus after his first leg performance. “I thought there were one or two occasions where he was a little bit hesitant, I thought he looked a little bit edgy, I thought he looked a little bit edgy” said Smith. Colorado strike force Conor Casey and Omar Cummings will be ready to puce on any errors from Grunebaum.
Defender Moor was at the heart of Colorado’s first leg victory and will be steeled for battle this time around. “We need to be big, to be strong. It’s going to be a dogfight for 90 minutes but we are looking forward to the challenge,” Moor told the official Rapids website.
Goalkeeper Matt Pickens, forward Casey and defender Kosuke Kimura were limited in practice this week, but Smith reported that he expects all of them to be ready come game time.
Columbus Crew vs Colorado Rapids Match Report
Colorado defeated Columbus 5-4 in a penalty a shoot-out. The home team will face San Jose in the Eastern Conference final.Eddie Gaven scored for Columbus in the 22nd minute, to level the aggregate lead held by Colorado going into the game. Teammate Robbie Rogers added another goal for the Crew in the 70th minute.
Conor Casey tied the game up agin in the 84th minute. The ensuing penalties ceased when Brian Carroll missed the the fifth shot for his side.