Another home game, another win. 2-0 over FC Dallas in Columbus. The Crew have not only improved their MLS-record home unbeaten streak to a staggering 20 straight games, but also are riding a 5-game winning streak and a 3-game shutout streak. Columbus is still 4 points clear of 2nd place Chicago in the East and are now tied for the best record in the league with Houston, with Columbus having a game in-hand.
Dallas at Columbus Highlights
Marshall had a nice header to start the scoring in the 10th minute off of a corner kick by Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven had an AMAZING run that started in the Crew's end of the field and ended with him slotting the ball past Dario Sala. Gaven's golazo is up for MLS Goal of the Week and looks to be
the early favorite to win it this week (you can vote for it there in the link, if you'd like).
Marshall was named MLS Player of the Week for his game-winning goal, assist on Gaven's stunner, and the shutout he helped pitch on defense.
Game could have easily been 4-0, but Alejandro Moreno just couldn't get a toe on an easy tap-in with the goalie out of position, and Chad Marshall had a brilliant header off of a restart outside the box called back due to offsides. Guillermo subbed in during 2nd half stoppage time and, as I understand it, has now played in enough games to have one of his yellow cards excused. He now must receive 2 more yellows to get a one-game suspension rather than 1 more yellow. Brian Carroll served his one game suspension for yellow card accumulation during the match and Frankie Hejduk is still on the bench recovering from a strained right quad.
Columbus plays the Puerto Rico Islanders in a CONCACAF Champions League game tomorrow at Crew Stadium at 8pm. Should be a terrific game, if you're willing to brave the elements. With the chance to win some hardware and the Crew not having an MLS game to play this weekend, it sounds like we'll be fielding most of our starters against the Islanders, including possibly Guillermo. I, for one, am not missing this one.