Crew Continue Their Winning Ways

Lenhart and Rogers Lead Columbus to a 2-0 Victory over Puerto Rico

By Patrick Guldan, Guest Correspondent from "An American Game"

COLUMBUS, OH-The Columbus Crew came away with a 2-0 win and an important three points at home against the Puerto Rico Islanders in the opening game of the CONCACAF Champions League Group C. Goals by Steven Lenhart and Robbie Rogers powered the Crew past an Islander team bent on coming out of Crew Stadium with a point.

Crew head coach Robert Warzycha was quick to make a change as he heightened the pressure by switching tactics by dropping defender Jed Zayner and bringing in bruising forward Lenhart at the halftime break. Puerto Rico’s defensive tactics had given the Crew plenty of possession, but little in the way of goal scoring opportunities in the first half.

The switch paid dividends just 12 minutes later as Lenhart would score off a Chad Marshall pass in the 6 yard box that the big forward powered past Islanders goalkeeper Bill Gaudette.

The sequence started with free kick service from scored Guillermo Barros Schelotto returning after a long injury absence. His service found Marshall at the back post, whose header popped out to Brian Carroll. Carroll’s one touch pass was redirected by Rogers to Eric Brunner, who laid it off to Marshall to set up the goal.

Robbie Rogers would add an insurance goal in the 78th minute to make it 2-0. 2nd half sub, Eddie Gaven set up the goal, racing down the left wing. His low pass found Moreno in the box. Moreno’s backheel pass found a wide-open Rogers for the tap in, sealing the win.

In the first half, the Islanders defensive game plan frustrated the Crew. Columbus was unable to find and cracks in the stout Puerto Rican defense. The Islanders would often play 9 players behind the ball and utilize one striker. The Crew would only test the Islanders goal from long range for the first 30 minutes.

Crew fortunes did turn just before halftime as they did force Gaudette to make two phenomenal saves is quick succession. Emmanuel Ekpo drove into open space in front of the goal and ripped a shot from 20 yards out that Gaudette pushed past the post in the 35th minute. Just two minutes later, Alejandro Moreno’s powerful shot from the right side of the penalty area was parried over the bar to keep the score level.

The Crew would be denied their final first half chance to breakthrough when Cristian Arrieta would tackle Schelotto in the penalty area, appearing to swipe the Argentinian’s leg and grab his shoulder in the process. Match referee, Roberto Moreno waved off any penalty call and the score remained 0-0 at halftime.

The Crew continued their strong home play as they brushed aside an Islanders team that had recently beaten Toronto at BMO field to make the group stage. Relying on a defense that has now recorded six shutouts in their last ten games and an offense that has 17 goals in the same stretch, the Crew was never challenged.

Both teams resume Champions League play next week. Puerto Rico now prepares for another road game to Costa Rica to face Deportivo Sapressa next Tuesday. Columbus has a full week to get ready for a stern test, heading to Mexico City to play Cruz Azul next Wednesday.

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