Crew Falls to Cruz Azul in Champions League Play

10-man Crew can’t overcome early goals in tough setback in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY – The Columbus Crew fell behind early, then saw its hopes dimmed further when defender Eric Brunner was sent off in the 37th minute Wednesday at Estadio Azul, where Jaime Lozano´s hat trick ultimately paced Cruz Azul to a 5-0 victory.

The Crew is now 1-1-0 in CONCACAF Champions League Group C play. Its next game in the regional confederation´s club championship tournament is Sept. 16 at Saprissa (Costa Rica). Columbus returns to league action this Sunday, Aug. 30, at New York.

MATCH STATISTICS
Aug. 26, 2009: Estadio Azul, Mexico City
CRUZ AZUL (MEX) 5, COLUMBUS CREW 0

Scoring:
CA: Jaime Lozano (3’)
CA: Ramón Núñez (9’)
CLB: Own Goal (Chad Marshall 46’)
CA: Jaime Lozano (81’)
CA: Jamie Lozano (87’)

Cruz Azul: 25-Yosgart Gutiérrez; 16-Rogelio Chávez, 13-Melvin Brown, 15-Horacio Cervantes, 3-Joel Huiqui (9-Pablo Zeballos 56’), 21-Jaime Lozano; 10-Ramón Núñez (23-Gerardo Lugo 66’), 6-Gerardo Torrado, 7-Cristian Riveros; 19-Alejandro Vela (14-Emilio Hernández 62’), 30-Emanuel Villa.

Coach: Enrique Meza Enríquez

Columbus Crew: 1-William Hesmer; 2-Frankie Hejduk, 23-Eric Brunner, 14-Chad Marshall, 4-Gino Padula, 12-Eddie Gaven, 5-Danny O’Rourke, 16-Brian Carroll; 19-Robbie Rogers (32-Steven Lenhart 78’), 10-Alejandro Moreno (17-Emmanuel Ekpo 64’), 7-Guillermo Barros Schelotto (22-Adam Moffat 53’)

Coach: Robert Warzycha

Cautions:
Cruz Azul: Horacio Cervantes (40’), Emanuel Villa (43’) y Cristian Riveros (86’).
Columbus Crew: Eric Brunner (36’, 37’), Frankie Hejduk (80’)

Ejection:
Columbus Crew: Eric Brunner (37’)

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