MLS powers battle to standstill

Crew, Dynamo wage entertaining draw in season opener

Brian Ching (R) battles 2008 MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall (L) on Saturday. (Shea/Getty)

Houston came out of the gates quickly. In the third minute, a Richard Mulrooney corner found the head of Ching in front of goal, but Ching's header sailed over the bar. The 18th minute brought a near replica as it was Mulrooney again playing the provider, but this time from the run of play. His cross found Chris Wondolowski in front of goal, but Wondolowski, like Ching sent the effort over the bar.

As the game settled, the Crew began to turn the tables. In the 31st minute, a Gino Padula cross found Eddie Gaven unmarked at the far post, but Gaven mis-hit his effort and sent it high and wide.

The defending champions appeared to get the breakthrough in the 33rd minute when a Schelotto free kick found Chad Marshall, who was being marked by both Bobby Boswell and Chris Wondolowski. Marshall's header went into the net, but referee Tim Weyland showed no hesitation in quickly waving off the goal for a foul on Marshall.

Columbus had two additional opportunities to take the lead in the first half. In the 34th minute, Gaven sent a cross into the box but the ball bounced awkwardly off the turf and Crew forward Alejandro Moreno couldn't get off a shot.

In the 39th minute, it was Eddie Gaven again who created something out of nothing with a quasi-bicycle kick from a ball chipped up in the air by Moreno. His effort looked headed for a sure goal, but Houston 'keeper Pat Onstad made a terrific save to keep the score knotted at 0-0 in the first half.

The second half gave Houston an opportunity to get their feet underneath them and it paid dividends. In the 53rd minute, Ching and Wondolowski played a beautiful give and go as Wondolowski threaded the ball perfectly behind Crew defender Marshall and into the path of Ching. Ching calmly poked the ball into the corner of the net to give Houston a 1-0 lead.

Houston continued to pour on the pressure as it came close twice to extending its lead in a matter of minutes. In the 77th minute, Wondolowski drove in to the top of the Crew box and ripped a shot, but his effort went narrowly wide. Just two minutes later, Brad Davis nearly chipped Columbus 'keeper Will Hesmer from midfield, but Hesmer tipped the ball over while backpedaling.

Columbus though kept fighting and would not be denied a share of the spoils. In the 82nd minute, the Houston defense was caught napping as second half substitute Jason Garey headed a long cross down for Schelotto who was wide open. The 2008 MLS MVP had too much space and time in the box, and he made Houston pay as he easily slotted the ball past Onstad inside his right-hand post.

Houston pressed for a winner with several corners and set pieces late, but it was not to be as the final whistle blew with the game level. Both teams can easily feel disappointed sharing the spoils, but both can also feel a bit lucky as well as the result could have easily gone either way.

Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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