The Columbus Crew's home unbeaten streak, much-discussed over the last month, is no longer news. The expansion Seattle Sounders FC came into Crew Stadium, grabbed a first half goal against the run of play, and held off an increasingly desperate Columbus attack to leave town with three points and the answer to a minor trivia question. Guillermo Barros Schelotto missed a penalty kick in the 83rd minute that would have tied the match.

What It Means

Tonight's loss snaps the Crew's home domestic unbeaten streak at 24 games (22 league and 2 playoff games). Columbus still sits atop the MLS standings, although Houston could pull into a first-place tie with a victory on Sunday against Kansas City. The team could have clinched the Eastern Conference Championship, and home-field in the second round of the playoffs, with a win tonight. This was the team's fifth loss of the season and their first since August 30th (a 0-1 loss in New York). If the season ended today, the Crew would face off against the Colorado Rapids in the first round of the playoffs.

Seattle's victory lifts them within three points of the Western Conference lead, with 41 points from 28 games. They are tied with Chivas, although the Goats have two games in hand on Sigi Schmid's team. If the regular season ended today, the Sounders would face the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first round of the playoffs. 

Up Next 

The Crew's next three matches are on the road, with the first coming next Saturday (October 10th) at New England. Following that are games at DC United (October 17th) and Puerto Rico Islanders (October 20th, Champions League). The Crew's final league game will be their home finale, on Sunday October 25th against the Revolution. The playoff schedule has not been set, but the team will have one home game in the first round on a date to be announced.

Seattle's next match is October 17th at Kansas City, before closing out their inaugural season at home on October 24th against FC Dallas.