The Sports Xchange
COLUMBUS, Ohio Crew 2, Fire 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Chicago’s penchant for allowing the first goal hurt it again.
For the ninth time in 12 games, the Fire fell behind and although it rallied to win on three occasions, Chicago dug too big of a hole this time – giving up first-half scores to Eddie Gaven (9th minute) and Emilio Renteria (44th) for a 2-1 defeat to Columbus before 16,024 fans in Crew Stadium on Saturday.
Fire defender Austin Berry did make it 2-1 in the 72nd minute with a powerful header from about eight yards off a cross from second-half substitute Daniel Paladini but the Crew held from there.
Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson kept the Fire (5-4-3) close until the end with critical stops of Renteria in the 81st minute and Nemanja Vukovic a minute later.
Columbus (5-4-3) won for the second straight time and is 3-0-2 in the past five games.
Chicago was the aggressor to open the second half and forced Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum into several saves.
However, the Crew came within inches of taking a 3-0 lead in the 52nd minute but Dilly Duka’s long strike hit the crossbar and bounced back into play.
Columbus led 2-0 at halftime. Gaven’s goal was a sneaky shot from distance that surprised the Fire, especially goalkeeper Johnson.
Renteria’s second in as many games was set up by Gaven’s pass to the goal box. Renteria then posted Berry, turned and fired into the goal.
His score came less than a minute after Patrick Nyarko almost made it 1-1 after accepting a back pass from Crew defender Shaun Francis to create a breakaway. Nyarko fired from 18 yards but closing Gruenebaum pushed the try away.
The Crew got on the board first when Gaven took a pass on the left side and dribbled several times to the upper corner of the penalty area. As he shot, defender Jalil Anibaba raised his left leg, possibly screening Johnson while the ball moved past him.
Johnson dived to make the stop but the ball hit the left post and went across the line for Gaven’s third goal. It marked the ninth time the Fire had allowed the first goal.
The Crew and Fire compete in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday as Chicago plays the Michigan Bucks (Premier Development League) in Pontiac, Mich., and the Crew hosts the Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro).
If the MLS teams win Chicago will face the Crew on June 5 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.
Chicago returns to MLS play June 2 at New England. The Crew’s next league game is also at New England on June 16.
NOTES: Justin Meram, who entered the game leading the Crew with three goals, all in the previous three games, did not start after playing 170 of 180 minutes in the two West Coast game… Fire forward Chris Rolfe, who recently rejoined the team from Colombian club Millonarios, did not dress. He is from Kettering, Ohio, about 60 miles west of Columbus… Crew midfielder Danny O’Rourke suffered a left ankle sprain in Wednesday’s match and did not play. The Crew has 10 players out because of injuries; the Fire four… Fire coach Frank Klopas recorded his first victory as interim boss nearly a year ago in Crew Stadium, a 1-0 win June 12.
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