Match
Statistics
COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 16, 2003) -- The Columbus Crew
defeated Morelia of Mexico 2-0 in the second leg of the
CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals Wednesday night at Crew
Stadium but lost the two-game total-goal series 6-2.
Forwards Edson Buddle and Jeff Cunningham scored first half
goals for The Crew as Columbus peppered Morelia nine shots to
three in the first half. But a second yellow card and
subsequent ejection of defender Eric Denton in the 31st minute
put The Crew a man down for the final 59 minutes of the game
and made the challenge to score six goals even more difficult.
Despite playing a man down, Columbus equaled Morelia in
shots in the second half (seven), and only outstanding saves
by goalkeeper Miguel Fuentes on Cunningham and Ross Paule kept
the score at 2-0. Crew goalkeeper Tom Presthus was never
seriously tested.
The Crew used the game to get some players valuable playing
time, including No. 1 draft pick Diego Walsh and defender
Nelson Akwari, who each played 90 minutes. Columbus now
returns to MLS play when they travel to New England for a
Saturday match against the Revolution at Gillette Stadium. The
game is the "Soccer Saturday" nationally televised match on
ESPN2 and kicks off at 4 p.m.
The Crew is 1-0-1 on the year in MLS play and sits atop the
Eastern Conference with four points.
Match statistics and other coverage is coming
soon...