Crew Opens MLS Cup Title Defense with 1-1 Draw at Houston

Crew earns a point on the road thanks to equalizing goal by 2008 MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto

The Columbus Crew opened defense of its MLS Cup Championship Saturday night with a 1-1 draw at Houston – in a contest between the last three Major League Soccer champions – thanks to an equalizing goal in the 81st minute by 2008 MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

After a first half in which neither side was able to draw first blood, Houston took the lead in the 53rd minute, when Chris Wondolowski sprung Brian Ching with a pass behind the Crew defense, which Ching poked home for his first goal of 2009.

The Crew responded in the 82nd minute when rookie midfielder Alex Grendi sent a diagonal pass to second half substitute Jason Garey at the top of the box. Garey nodded the ball down to a wide open Schelotto who calmly slotted the ball inside the right post and into the back of the net to bring the Black & Gold even.

Both sides pressed for the breakthrough goal in the match’s final minutes, but neither team was successful as they opened the 2009 MLS season with one point apiece.

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