The makeshift lineup of the Columbus Crew could not find a way to collect the team's first win of the 2009 season. The defending champs conceded a late goal in a 1-1 draw against the Colorado Rapids Saturday.
The Crew (0-2-3) were in need of fresh bodies with the absence of three key starters. Captain Frankie Hejduk, Robbie Rogers and Chad Marshall all sat out due to injuries.
Despite being short-handed, the Crew turned in a performance reminiscent of last season's championship run. But the inability to finish scoring opportunities ultimately denied the Crew of two points and stretched the winless streak to five games.
"We were better in every aspect of the game, we were just unlucky not to score more goals," he said.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto was the catalyst in the Crew's attack, which created several dangerous chances in the first half, including a free kick that struck the crossbar. The 2008 MVP was rewarded for his hard work in the 41st minute when Emmanuel Ekpo evaded several Rapids' defenders to find an open Schelotto at the penalty spot. The Argentine tallied his third goal of the season with a sliding left-footed shot into the lower right corner of the goal.
The Rapids (2-1-1) found the equalizer in the 82nd minute when Conor Casey barreled his way past defender Danny O'Rourke before slotting his shot past goalkeeper William Hesmer into the right corner. Casey's league-leading fourth goal of the season overshadowed the sluggish play of the Rapids.
"The goal masked some cracks in the performance tonight," Rapids' coach Gary Smith said. "We didn't deserve anything, they looked sharper and had better chances than us."
The task of marking Casey fell primarily onto the shoulders of former Ohio State defender Eric Brunner. The Dublin, Ohio native made his MLS debut starting in place of Marshall.
Casey welcomed the young defender into the league with an elbow to the face when both players were going up for a header in the 11th minute, leaving Brunner bloodied.
"I told our equipment manager to give me the jersey just to hang it up on my wall," Brunner said.
A cross from Gino Padula in the 58th minute almost led to Brunner's first career goal, but the crossbar denied his header.
"Gino hit a fabulous ball in, but I hit the crossbar and I was like, 'Oh my,' " Brunner said.
Adam Moffat made his first appearance in the lineup since suffering a season-ending knee injury last June. Moffat went 67 minutes before cramping up and being substituted for Duncan Oughton.
The Crew have a week off before returning to action April 25 against the Chicago Fire at home. With injuries piling up, the break could not have come at a better time.
"We're hoping by the next game we'll have 24 fit players, and if not, we'll have more than we did tonight," Moffat said.
Tyler Gillespie can be reached at gillespie.113@osu.edu
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