On the night that Columbus was awarded the 2009 Supporters Shield, it was the New England Revolution who left as victors. Jeff Larentowicz scored the game's only goal in the second half, clinching a playoff spot for the visitors on the last game of the 2009 season. The Crew finished the regular season having lost three of their last four games, including two at home.
Columbus entered the game with a patchwork defensive core, as coach Robert Warzycha chose to rest goalkeeper William Hesmer (19 games in 2009) and central defender Eric Brunner (25 games). With reigning Defender of the Year Chad Marshall (18 games) still injured, the Crew looked to goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni to make his MLS debut, as Andy Iro (10 games) and Jed Zayner (19 games, mostly as an outside back) anchored the back line. The rest of the starting lineup was arguably the Crew's finest, with the only exception being Danny O'Rourke left out in favor of Adam Moffat.
New England had the game's first scoring opportunity as Lithuanian forward Edgaras Jankauskas had his shot saved on the goal line by Kenny Schoeni in the 7th minute. It would be the Revolution's only scoring chance of the first half hour.
Six minutes later, Columbus took their first credited shot, but Adam Moffat's effort from outside the penalty area was well over the crossbar. The Crew had promising opportunities several times before that, but on each occasion the players were just unable to complete their passes, or just too slow to run onto a threatening ball. Columbus had slightly more possession, but were unable to break down the New England backline. At the other end, Andy Iro's height proved equal to the towering Jankauskas.
Two minutes after Andy Iro headed weakly at Matt Reis from a Crew free kick, New England had possibly the best scoring opportunity of the first half. In the 28th minute, Jeff Larentowicz unleashed a hard shot through a crowd of defenders, but the ball didn't trouble Schoeni, who was well positioned to catch the ball without moving.
Several minutes later, Andy Iro got on the end of another Crew free kick, and this time Matt Reis was caught reacting too slowly to pressure the central defender. The chance fell for naught, however, as Iro sent the ball tamely over the crossbar.
In the 38th minute, Kenny Schoeni was almost made to pay for a poor goalkeeping decision. Coming well off his line to challenge a Revolution buildup, he got tangled up with several field players at the top of the penalty area as the ball trickled back to Shalrie Joseph about 24 yards from goal. The perennial league MVP candidate was unable to drop his chipped shot under the Crew crossbar, however, and the game continued scoreless until halftime.
The Crew's best chance of the first half came from Guillermo Barros Schelotto in the 42nd minute, as the Argentine latched onto a long ball from Gino Padula towards the back post. Matt Reis was able to get to his post in time, however, and smothered the headed shot easily.
After the break, both teams increased their playing intensity, with referee Kevin Stott having to go to his pocket several times to caution overzealous players.
Matt Reis was called on to smartly cut out a low cross from Adam Moffat in the 52nd minute, as Schelotto was streaking in from the back post to tap home what would have been an easy goal.
Three minutes later, the game's first caution went to Jay Heaps for a crunching tackle on Alejandro Moreno 10 yards inside the Crew's offensive half, but Schelotto's ensuing free kick floated directly to Matt Reis. The free kick kicked off a period of intense pressure for the Crew, however, although on an ominous note the team was unable to register a shot on goal despite several promising opportunities.
New England counter-punched just after the hour mark, starting with a free kick in the Crew's left defensive channel in the 62nd minute. Schoeni was able to punch the free kick out for a throw in, but the Crew were almost undone several times by poor touches or uncontrolled play. In the 70th minute, Schoeni alertly punched a ball clear that had been intended for Jankauskas, and the team was able to calm down somewhat.
Warzycha started sending on substitutes in the 74th minute, with Steven Lenhart replacing Alejandro Moreno shortly before Eddie Gaven relieved Emmanuel Ekpo. During this period, the Crew twice were unable to get a shot off, although both Andy Iro and Brian Carroll had the ball at their feet around the top of the box from free kicks. Robbie Rogers delivered several dangerous crosses from the left flank, but New England each time was able to defend.
The goal the game desperately needed finally came in the 79th minute. Brian Carroll was called for a handball just outside the penalty area, and Jeff Larentowicz blasted the ensuing free kick over Schoeni's head. The Crew goalkeeper's reaction was too slow to parry the blast over the bar, and the Revolution had the goal they would need.
The final 15 minutes was marked by significantly higher intensity from the Crew, but the team was unable to convert their emotions into any dangerous opportunities. Several refereeing decisions proved distracting to the players and fans in the game's closing moments, but through four minutes of stoppage time the Revolution was able to collapse into their penalty area and adequately defended against a Crew team that held possession but could not create a scoring opportunity.
New England forward Edgaras Jankauskas clipped the crossbar from a tight angle deep into stoppage time, and shortly thereafter Kevin Stott called full time on the 2009 league season.
What It Means
The victory clinches a post-season berth for the New England, who have the league's longest stretch of consecutive playoff appearances (8 years, having last missed out in 2001). They become the Eastern Conference's third seed and will face the Chicago Fire in the opening round, with Chicago hosting the second game.
The loss means nothing in terms of the Crew's seeding, having already clinched the 2009 Supporters Shield and home-field advantage through MLS Cup. The result does mean a switch in their first-round opponent, however, as the team will now play Real Salt Lake instead of the Colorado Rapids. The Crew will host the second game of that series.
Up Next
The Crew will travel to Salt Lake City for the first game of their playoff series, with the second leg scheduled for Crew Stadium. New England will host the first game of their series against Chicago before travelling to the Windy City for the finale.
