By AVI CREDITOR
Thursday night wasn't a complete loss for the Columbus Crew, despite the team dropping to second place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.
Emilio Renteria tallied two goals in the second half to lead the Crew past Joe Public FC, 4-1, in their CONCACAF Champions League group stage finale in Trinidad.
Andres Mendoza and Duncan Oughton also scored for Columbus, which was already guaranteed second place in Group B prior to the match but put forth a convincing effort to cap off the tournament's opening stage.
The victory snapped a six-match winless streak (in all competitions) for the Crew, something that could help turn things around for Robert Warzycha's side as the MLS playoffs approach. Columbus finished a point behind Santos in Group B and will learn the identity of its quarterfinal opponent after the Nov. 1 draw.
Highlights from the match and a few more stories from Friday are after the jump:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpLaiz8ZZgs&w=440&h=380]
ZAKUANI WINS GOAL OF THE WEEK
For the third consecutive week, the Seattle Sounders can lay claim to the MLS Goal of the Week.
Steve Zakuani, who won the honor two weeks ago prior to Alvaro Fernandez winning it last week, took home the prize for his goal against Chivas USA. After a turnover in the middle of the field, Zakuani took a pass from Jeff Parke, weaved by four Chivas defenders and keeper Zach Thornton and finished with ease for his 10th goal of the season.
Here's video of Zakuani's goal:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ7_BJAyeeo&w=440&h=385]
FRIDAY FREE KICKS
Sunderland defender Titus Bramble has been cleared of a rape charge stemming from an incident last month.
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor could get the start against his former club Arsenal over the weekend in the aftermath of his hat trick in Thursday's UEFA Europa League match.
Theo Zwanziger was re-elected as head of the German Football Federation for a third term.
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What did you think of the Crew's performance? Think Columbus can turn things around for the playoffs? Do you think that Zakuani deserves a spot on the MLS Best XI?
Share your thoughts below.
I don’t know what the hell happened, but a legitimate goal scored by a GK not getting GOTW is seriously flawed.
Yeah, a remember on an on-field interview last year where the reporter asked him if he would ever be interested in playing for the USMNT. It was clear he’d never even thought of the idea, and he totally laughed it off. The reporter was obviously a little put-off and the whole thing ended awkwardly. I think he’s learning how to handle this stuff more diplomatically.
Wow, it’s said if they can’t get enough fans to vote legit to win GOTW without cheating.
Cheating in the name of forcing the MLS to change… Talk about slowly killing the fun of watching the 5 best goals of the week.
He just got a green card and he said recently on the Extra Time podcast that he’s looking into playing for the US but he’s not going to wait until he’s 25 to start his international career. I doubt he’ll ever suit up for the US because that would mean he’d have to go from green card to citizen in under 3 years. On top of that he’s flatly denied any interest in the past and it’s possible he was just being polite when asked this time.
GOTW?
http://www.soundersfc.com/Social/Forums.aspx?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat%3a3ed350c9-7069-4d55-bb8b-9750526aeeefForum%3ab8e335ac-dbcd-4574-a4e2-e5f5fde4a3fdDiscussion%3ab727ca23-0aea-4d68-ae38-20f0edaf7665
IIRC, Stevie Z has dual citizenship. In the past he has expressed ambivalence about whether playing for Congo or England would be a bigger dream come true. Obviously one is more likely than the other.
I thought Zaku was british, wouldn’t that be a very moot point?
You should give MLS a chance. A great thing about being a die hard Nats fan is thrill of seeing young talent emerging from the MLS. From the looks of it, Zakuani is best out wide so if i had to put him on MY depth chart for outside midfielders it would go: Donovan, Dempsey, Holden, then maybe Zakuani. The good thing is that he is definitely ahead of Robbie Rogers now.
I don’t follow MLS, but I have a question for those who do: I know Zakuani might end up with the Congo, but if he were to opt to play for USMNT…where would he end up in the depth chart?
Good work, C-Bus. Way to represent for U.S. and MLS.
Nevermind! I didn’t see the prior posting devoted to the news… please disregard my ignorance 🙂
Nothing about Rooney re-signing with United!??!?!!?
Come on boys…