Crew Trounce Dynamo and Move Eight Ahead of NY

By Robert Ivory

COLUMBUS, OH - July 24, 2010 - Only two weeks removed from both the Crew and the Dynamo drawing nil-nil in Houston, the two teams returned for a fixture in Columbus. But, there would be no tie at Crew Stadium as the Crew took out Houston, 3-0 Saturday night in front of 13,585 enthusiastic fans. The Crew (10-3-4, 34 pts) would get a goal gift wrapped to Emilio Renteria (his fourth of the year), and goals from Andy Iro and Léandre Griffit (his first MLS goal). Houston (5-8-4, 19 pts) have not won since their May 22nd clash with D.C. United.

The matchup included Crew forward Emilio Renteria’s first consecutive games in the starting eleven and Shaun Francis making his first ever MLS start in a Crew uniform at left back.

The Crew were the first to score as Dynamo keeper Tally Hall, making only his second career MLS start, should be nominated for ‘Gift of the Year Award.’ Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven played a long ball down the right side over the Dynamo defense. Renteria beat his defender, but Hall should have had no problems booting the ball away as he charged at it at the outside of the box.

However, he tried to dive backwards to land on the ball in the box, but missed, leaving only Renteria and the ball in between the goal. It was 1-0 Crew as Renteria broke out the dance party. The goal in the 34th minute also marked his second goal in his last two games.

“I feel really proud of my second goal (two in two weeks),” the forward said through a translator. “It just says that I can score and I am happy that I can bring a lot to the team.”

The Crew finished the half ahead and looked to have a tight hold around the Dynamo, as the Crew had nine shots, three of which were on goal.

Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell went off in the 72nd minute as he received his second caution for what looked to be a knock to Renteria, as the Crew forward tried to get past Boswell. Renteria, who had been fouled hard and often throughout the game, was immediately subbed off by Crew Head Coach Robert Warzycha with what looked to be a left calf injury.

“My leg is not bothering me right now,” Renteria said after the game. He did add that it may hurt later on in the week.

The Crew added goal number two in the 84’ to seal the deal. A free kick from Guillermo Barros Schelotto from the right corner was placed perfectly to the unmarked Andy Iro in the box and he put it in the back of the net to make it a 2-0 advantage for the Crew.

After Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers was taken off in the 88’, Léandre Griffit made his MLS and Crew debut. The 26 year old did not disappoint as the French international scored his first MLS goal only minutes from coming in. He was able to put away a ball that was scrambling around in the box. Hall made a save, but Griffit got the rebound, dribbled, and put in another goal in stoppage time.

“I have been working really hard. You have to do something in two minutes to let coach know you are here,” he said.

Houston have now only gotten three points out of their last seven games, but Columbus had put in five goals in two games after going three straight games without a tally. The Crew are now eight points ahead of the New York Red Bulls in the East, but New York has a game in hand. Columbus travel for three straight road matches in a row.

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