March 29, 2008 MLS Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC (from MLSnet.com)
03/29/2008 10:00PM
Crowds help propel Crew to win
Club looks sharp on both ends in win over Toronto
By Nathan Linton / MLSnet.com Staff
COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Crew got their 2008 campaign off to a fantastic start, downing Toronto FC 2-0 in front of a raucous crowd at Crew Stadium. Adam Moffat netted his first MLS goal in the first half and Alejandro Moreno tallied his first of the year in the second half while the Crew defense held on for the shutout.
The atmosphere in Crew Stadium was a vast improvement over the home opener last year, helped in part by the lack of snow and bone-chilling cold as in 2007. But another hugely contributing factor was the hoards of Toronto FC supporters that made the 8-hour drive south.
"I think it's great for the atmosphere," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid of the flock of TFC fans in Crew Stadium. "Soccer players are no different than Saving Jane out there right now (who played a post-game show for fans) -- they're entertainers and when you have a crowd and an atmosphere they want to perform."
Much was made this week of TFC's fan base and how many there would be in attendance at the match, but the Crew supporters showed they were ready to cheer their team on to a victory.
"I thought our fans stepped up as well," said Schmid. "Having all of them sitting together in the corner there was tremendous. Having all the black and gold and all the flags going, it was great."
Much of the run of play in the first half was in favor of the Crew and Moffat was a big part of the reason why. After starting in his only appearance last season, in the final game of the year, Moffat appeared to be all over the field Saturday.
He scored the opening goal in the 26th minute and hit the crossbar with another shot in the first half. Moffat also played a crucial role in keeping TFC out of the net at the end of the half, as he cleared the ball from danger after 'keeper Will Hesmer saved Collin Samuel's penalty kick attempt.
Danny O'Rourke got the start in the defense for the Crew and was not pleased in the 44th minute when referee Baldomero Toledo ruled he had fouled TFC striker Jeff Cunningham in the box.
"I don't want to get fined by the league, but it was an awful call," said O'Rourke. "I went should to shoulder with [Cunningham] and knocked the ball away and he fell down. I was not a lot of contact, I knew going into the tackle we were in the box and that I was not going to go in hard."
Thankfully for the Black and Gold, Hesmer rose to the challenge and denied Samuel on the ensuing spot kick, diving to his left to keep the ball out of the goal. Moffat raced back to help out his 'keeper and beat Cunningham to the ball.
"We always say that the goalie is there to make up for our mistakes, and he shouldn't have to do too much, but one or two times a game we are going to need him," said O'Rourke of Hesmer's save.
O'Rourke might need to be thanking Moffat just as much though, as TFC would have still netted the equalizer had he not cleared the rebound.
"What you see is what you get with Adam Moffat," said Schmid. "He's a two-way player. He battles, he fights, he scraps."
With the lead still intact late in the game the Crew's veteran performers took over and Moreno showed that he plans on picking up where he left off in 2007 when he lead the team in goals. The most fouled man in MLS the last three years running got his revenge for some earlier knocks doled out by TFC defenders, netting the clinching goal in the 76th minute.
"I am going to do whatever this team needs me to do in order to get a win," said Moreno. "Today it was my turn to score but it was certainly a team effort. Will had a big save on the penalty kick and Adam hit a great shot for his first goal. We're very happy."
"Obviously we're happy with three points at home, anytime we can get three points we'll take it," said Schmid. "The biggest thing for our team, since we are a young team is getting our confidence."
Next up for the Crew is a trip to New York to take on the Red Bulls, before returning to Crew Stadium to face Chivas USA in two weeks.
"We wanted to set a standard for home games, and get in people's faces," said Moffat. "We don't want anyone coming here thinking they're going to have an easy game. We want them to fear coming here."
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
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