Match Thoughts: Columbus Crew vs. Real Salt Lake

RSL's Borchers & Tanaka battle the Crew's Tony Tchani (Getty Images)

A major storm system blew through central Ohio early this weekend and left many of the residents without power.  This included the guys from Real Salt Lake, who were in town to play the Columbus Crew Saturday night.  Power was restored to Crew Stadium and the match was held, but RSL continued to suffer a power outage on the pitch as the Crew roared to a convincing 2-0 victory.

RSL barely had time to get a feel for the match when the Crew took advantage of the Claret and Cobalt's continued defensive woes to tally the first score.  In the 16th minute Emilio Renteria took a ball from Sebastian Miranda and worked his way past RSL's Chris Wingert.  He laid the ball off to Tony Tchani, who was hanging out in the middle of the penalty area, and Tchani expertly slid the ball into the RSL net to make it 1-0 to the Crew'

However it wasn't just the defense that struggled for RSL in this one.  They also had issues getting anything going on offense.  This can be par for the course against the Crew, who can be pretty stingy in their half of the pitch.  Plus Andy Gruenebaum has been outstanding in net all year.  Javi Morales managed to get a free kick shot on target in the 36th minute, but it went right to the aforementioned G-Baum for an easy save.  It would be one of only two shots on target for RSL.

The Crew doubled their lead in the 44th minute, and it was yet another goal from a set piece chance.  These have doomed RSL of late.  Chris Birchall sent in a corner and Josh Williams managed to bring it down for Eddie Gaven.  Gaven then calmly stroked the ball past Nick Rimando to make it 2-0 going into the half.

There honestly wasn't much doing for either side in the second half as the Crew were in complete control.  RSL did have a decent chance to get one goal back in the 71st minute when Emiliano Bonfigli forced a late clearance from the Crew defense in front of goal.  In the end it was all RSL could muster and the Crew hung on for the comfortable 2-0 win.

NOTES:  RSL was without Captain Kyle Beckerman, who was suspended for yellow card accumulation.  Also Ned Grabavoy and Jamison Olave did not travel with the team due to injury concerns.  The match started 1 hour late due to the power issues, and RSL had no AC in their hotel for most of the weekend.  However, the team correctly refused to make excuses either for loss by blaming either of these conditions.  They'll look to right the ship at home Wednesday against Seattle.  The Crew will get some down time, as their next match is July 8 in Montreal.