Crew Eliminated from Playoffs by Rapids

The Columbus Crew suffered a season-ending 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids on Thursday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in a Wild Card game to determine who would advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Omar Cummings scored the lone goal, assisted by Kosuke Kimura and Brian Mullan.

The Black & Gold fought hard for the equalizer but was unable to capitalize on its chances.

The Rapids eliminated the Crew for the second consecutive year after winning the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2010.

Midfielder Tony Tchani made his debut for the Crew playing the full match.

Both teams came out strong in the first half creating several chances on either side. Right off the bat Dilly Duka had a shot deflected in corner in the 10th minute and another one saved by Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens in the 14th.

In the 20th minute Colorado’s Jamie Smith saw one of his shots saved by Hesmer, who was quick to save a shot by Cummings just three minutes later. In the 27th minute Andres Mendoza saw a shot saved by Pickens and in the 34th Julius James was quick to clear a cross intended for Cummings.

The tally came in the 45th minute when Mullan played a through ball to Kimura who ran to the touch line and passed it right into the middle of the box to an open Cummings who proceeded to shoot it past William Hesmer for the 1-0 lead and the end of the half.

The second half began with the same intensity and the Black & Gold looking for the elusive equalizer. In the 48th minute Robbie Rogers took advantage of an opportunity only to see his shot sail high above the goal. In the 54th Mendoza hit the crossbar after Eddie Gaven opened up some space for him with a well placed pass.

The Rapids responded with a breakaway in the 57th as Mullan ran down the middle of the field and played a ball to defender Marvell Wynne, but Rich Balchan was able to make it back and easily clear the ball into the sideline. As the game wore on Duka earned a throw in and launched Mendoza towards goal but Pickens easily picked up the save. The Crew continued to attack until the last minute but was unable to find the back of the net ending the game and the season with the 1-0 loss.