By TRAVIS CLARK
The Columbus Crew once again came away empty handed in a Group C match against Cruz Azul. Two first half goals from the visitors were enough as Columbus fell 2-0. The home side came out with an attacking 3-5-2 with Guillermo Barros Schelotto pulling strings going forward. It worked well and created chance after chance early on, but unable to find the back of the net.
However, the Crew were unable to turn their pressure into goals, and they found themselves down two goals at the half, as Pablo Zeballos and Alejandro Vela scored for Cruz Azul. Despite going down, Columbus kept the pressure on, and bombarded Cruz Azul's net. Schelotto himself hit the woodwork on two free kicks, and Cruz Azul goalie Yosgart Gutierrez had to come up huge, denying Columbus on a number of occasions to preserve the clean sheet.
In all, the Crew managed 22 shots, though their inability to convert means Cruz Azul clinches a quarterfinal berth with two games remaining. Columbus still has a solid chance of going through, needing to defeat Saprissa on Tuesday to make it through.
Rapids tally late, tie with San Jose
In need of three points to keep pace with the rest of the league, Colorado hosted San Jose Wednesday night. The two sides battled through a goalless first half, before Chris Wondolowski opened the scoring with a penalty in the 54th minute.
A loss would be a real blow, and Colorado were unable to beat Joe Cannon for almost the entire second half. Omar Cummings found space and cut back in the box, only to get hacked down by San Jose defender Jason Hernandez. Conor Casey stepped up to the spot and grabbing a precious point for Colorado.
Back-to-back draws against the lowly Quakes can't mean good things for Colorado, who must now go on the road to secure a playoff spot. Three of their last four games are away from Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Here's a clip of Cummings drawing the penalty and Casey's equalizer:
Chivas USA falls to Guadalajara
Last night the first-ever ChivaClasico took place at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, with the Mexican club dropping their American counterparts by a score of 2-0. The game remained scoreless until late, when Omar Arellano struck twice in five minutes to earn the win for the mother club.
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What did you think of last night's action? Disappointed the Crew couldn't at least draw? Think the Rapids will make the playoffs? Make it out to the ChivasClasico? Share your thoughts below.