MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew downs Chicago 1-0 to win its first-ever Eastern Conference regular season title

Published on October 6, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


CHICAGO - (Wednesday, October 6) – An Edson Buddle goal sent the Columbus Crew into the Major League Soccer record books and clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the MLS Cup Playoffs, as they extended their unbeaten streak to 16 games with a 1-0 victory against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night at Soldier Field.

Buddle hammered home a free kick goal in the 59th minute from just outside the penalty area to push him into a six-way tie first-place for goals in MLS with 11 and give The Crew its first-ever Eastern Conference regular season title.

Crew fans can greet the team at the airport tomorrow to celebrate the clinching of first-place in the East. The team lands at 1:02 p.m. on United flight 384.

The Crew last lost in a league game on June 26, a 2-1 defeat by the Colorado Rapids, and their unbeaten streak was already the longest contained in a single season. But Wednesday's victory put them alone in the MLS records with the longest-ever unbeaten run, surpassing the 15-game streak reeled off by the Los Angeles Galaxy over the end of the 1997 season and start of the '98 campaign.

Both squads were missing significant players to international duty. The Fire were without virtually all of their attacking players, and it showed in the early going. Andy Herron (Costa Rica), Andy Williams (Jamaica), Damani Ralph (Jamaica), and Dipsy Selowane (Botswana) were all away on international duty, while Nate Jaqua was suspended and captain Chris Armas was still suffering the lingering effects of recent knee surgery.

The Crew were missing stalwarts Tony Sanneh and Frankie Hejduk, called into the U.S. national team by manager Bruce Arena for the weekend's upcoming World Cup qualifier against El Salvador, and Ross Paule due to injury.

Columbus had two early chances, but were denied on outstanding saves by Fire goalkeeper Henry Ring. In the 11th minute Crew forward Jeff Cunningham got behind the left side of the Chicago defense and broke in alone on Ring, who made a beautiful right-handed save on a low drive destined for the left corner of the Fire goal.

Then six minutes later Columbus midfielder Chris Wingert made a nifty run toward the goal from the left corner flag area and unleashed a low drive at the near post that Ring also managed to parry with his right hand.

With usual wide midfielders Kelly Gray and Alexandre Boucicaut as the strike pair, Chicago struggled at first, but did eventually settle. The best Fire opportunity came in the 33rd minute when midfielder Chris Capano caught the woodwork from outside the area with a strong right-footed blast. Crew 'keeper Jon Busch also made a pair of diving saves in the final five minutes before the break.

The match opened up in the second half, the Crew hitting for the game's only goal in the 59th minute. After Chicago defender Evan Whitfield pulled down Cunningham just outside the area, Simon Elliott put the free kick into motion with a quick inside touch. Buddle came on to hit a beautiful first-time rocket that bent away from Ring as it settled inside his left-hand post.

Over the final half-hour, both teams tried in vain to produce more goals, yet were lacking the necessary final touches to greatly trouble either goalkeeper.

The defeat left the Fire still three points ahead of New England in fourth place, but their playoff position is not yet guaranteed and while they still control their own destiny, but it is becoming more likely that their fate will be determined in the season finale on Oct. 16 when they play the Revolution in New England.

The Crew remain on the road this weekend, when they travel to Giants Stadium to face the MetroStars on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m.

Crew playoff tickets are now on sale as Columbus will host Game Two of the Eastern Conference semifinals on either Saturday, Oct. 30, or Sunday, Oct. 31. The conference semifinals are two-game, home-and-home, total-goal series with Game One at the lower seeded team on either Saturday, Oct. 23, or Sunday, Oct. 24. If the teams are tied in total goals at the end of Game Two, a 30-minute overtime will be played (no sudden death). If the teams are still tied, the series will be decided by penalty kicks. The conference final is one game on Nov. 6 and will be played in Columbus if The Crew advances past the first round. The same overtime and penalty kick procedure as the conference semifinals are in place. MLS Cup is on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 3:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., with the same overtime and penalty kick guidelines.

Tickets for Crew playoffs games can be acquired at the Crew Stadium Box Office, at any area Kroger Ticket Master outlet, via phone at 614-431-3600 or on line at TheCrew.com. Crew season ticket holders have Game One of the playoffs in their ticket packages.

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 6, 2004


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