Real Salt Lake led the league in shots on goal this season, and was the highest scoring of the teams that qualified for the playoffs. For the first 88 minutes, however, the potent Salt Lake attack was effectively nullified by a Crew team that was able to field its preferred defensive corps for the first time since September 13th. Columbus limited their opponents to only two shots on goal, but the second shot was all that was needed to hand the Crew their third consecutive defeat.

 

The decisive play developed from an attacking throw-in deep on the Crew's right flank. Yura Movsisyan received the ball and was lightly marked by Frankie Hejduk, allowing the second-half substitute enough time to look up and thread a low cross towards the near post. Robbie Findley, RSL's leading scorer with 12 goals in the regular season, beat Eric Brunner and William Hesmer to the ball, getting just enough of a deflection to push it trickling over the goal line. 

For their part, the Crew's attack once again suffered the impotence that has plagued the team in recent weeks. This was the fourth time in the last five games that the Crew have failed to score, with the team's only goal in that span coming from a Gino Padula free kick. Columbus matched Salt Lake's meager total of two shots on goal, and only rarely displayed the offensive chemistry that seemed necessary to score on the team with the best home record of the regular season (9-1-5, 11 goals conceded).

Columbus' best scoring chance may well have been their first. In the 9th minute, Robbie Rogers sent a low ball in towards Steven Lenhart from the left flank. With a pair of defenders in close vicinity, Lenhart barely managed to beat his markers, emerging off balance but with a clean look at goal. His lunging shot to the far post arced just wide. Emilio Renteria was waiting at the penalty spot, but it appeared doubtful that Lenhart had the time to notice him.

Salt Lake started the game with better possession, but it was not until the 23rd minute that they sent a shot that forced a save from William Hesmer. However, Andy Williams' bending shot from outside the penalty area was easily saved by the Crew netminder. 

The Crew closed out the first half with a series of chances that promised danger but delivered only twice. In the 41st minute, Robbie Rogers sent in a free kick toward the penalty spot, which was met by an unmarked Steven Lenhart. Lenhart's glancing header was poorly aimed, however, and was easily saved by Nick Rimando.

The final chance of the first half also fell to the Black and Gold, but Eddie Gaven's near post shot in injury time was also easily saved by the well-positioned Rimando.

After the interval both teams proved unable to match their first-half performance. The teams started the half tentatively, and it was not until the introduction of Yura Movsisyan in the 65th minute that either team looked dangerous. Movsisyan's energy was immediately apparent, giving the Crew defense fits within his first two minutes on the field, although Salt Lake was still unable to convert their chances into shots on goal.

While the Crew sent on Jason Garey for Emilio Renteria, it was the introduction of Robbie Russell for Tony Beltran that paid further dividends. The Salt Lake substitute had a good run at Hesmer's goal within his first three minutes on the field, but sent his shot wide of the near post, finding only the side netting after catching Eric Brunner slightly too far upfield.

Six minutes later, Findley converted Movsisyan's cross for the game's only goal, leaving the Crew to scramble to switch from game-killing mode and try to find an equalizer. Ultimately, the team proved unable to make the transition, and were forced to settle for the 0-1 loss heading into Thursday's home leg.

The 0-1 loss leaves the Crew needing to beat Real Salt Lake by two goals on Thursday night if they are to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. If the team wins by one goal, the series will be decided by a 30-minute mini-game that will be played immediately after Thursday's second leg concludes.

The teams will face off for the second leg of their playoff series at 8 PM on Thursday night in a nationally-televised contest. The winner of this series will advance to face the winner of the Chicago-New England series in the Eastern Conference Final.