MLS Columbus Crew SC

REACTION: Crew End Homestand with Loss to Rapids

May 11, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


Edson Buddle scored 22 goals at Crew Stadium in his time with the Black & Gold, but his first as visiting opposition in the eighth minute of Sautrday night's match was all the Colorado Rapids needed to hand the Crew its second-straight home match. Rapids midfielder Dillon Powers added a second-half insurance tally in the 69th as his shot from the top of the box deflected off Crew defender Josh Williams and past a helpless Andy Gruenebaum in net.

Much like last week's match against the New York Red Bulls, the Crew was the agressor for much of the match. The Black & Gold out-shot the Rapids 22-4, but failed to find the net despite constant pressure in Colorado's half of the field.

"I think we had enough chances to score the goals," Head Coach Robert Warzycha said in his post-match press conference. "I think the intensity level was good. I think the attitude and pressure -- I think we were very aggressive, but the ball didn't bounce our way."

Added midfielder Eddie Gaven: "I feel like the team played pretty well at times tonight. It was that last pass, last shot that always let us down time-in and time-out. We ended up getting punished for it. They got two or three chances, and they put both of them away. There's the game."

Saturday marked the first time since 2009 that the Black & Gold fell at Crew Stadium in consecutive matches. With three-straight matches at home starting with a 3-0 win against D.C. United, the team had hoped to end the homestand with more than three points.

"It's tough to only get three points out of the last three games at home," Gaven explained. "It's not good anyway that you slice it.

"We have to keep working. We're not just going to pout about it. We're not just going to put our heads down. We're going to keep on working and try to make the thing better. That's all we can do at this point."

SANCHEZ SHINES

Making his first start since joining the Crew from Estudiantes in the offseason, Mat� - as S�=A1nchez was all over the field to disrupt the Rapids' attack on Saturday night. Sanchez's hustle to break up plays and distribute the ball to Crew attackers was enough to catch the fans' eyes and earn him Barbasol Man of the Match honors.

"I think he was one of the best players on the field, to be honest with you," Warzycha said of the Argentine. "He was very aggressive. He was a good passer, so I think he did what we asked him to do.

"I have to say he shined today."

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