Division A Game of the Week: 1997 Columbus v 1996 New England
The Crew and Revs have gotten off to solid starts so far, so this is a battle for a top-4 position in the standings. Neither team had to contend with Champions League play, so both teams are coming in healthy. However, the Revs, known as a team with a fairly anemic road form in 1996, are further hampered after accumulated cards resulted in a suspension after last week. Columbus is also bringing some momentum off a suprisingly strong win over LA last week.
8': 1997 Columbus Crew player shown a yellow card
10' (CBS): The Crew get a good build-up but the final pass to Pete Marino goes astray.
17': 1996 New England Revolution player suffers injury
26' (CBS): A swift raid almost catches the defense sleeping, but the final pass to Marino is too strong.
28' (CBS): A curling free kick has the defence in trouble. Thomas Dooley gets a head to it, but it goes onto the crossbar.
36': 1996 New England Revolution player suffers injury
43' (CBS): Brian Bliss makes a quick turn on the edge of the box and shoots on goal. New England goalkeeper Aidan Heaney is able to get a hand to it, but not enough to stop it from going in -
GOAL!
HT: 1997 Columbus Crew 1 - 0 1996 New England Revolution
The Crew have dominated the play so far, but only have one goal and number of missed chances to show for it.
47' (CBS): An overhead shot by Ansil Elcock in a crowded goalmouth is saved by Heaney.
56' (CBS): A slick move produces a clear chance for Marcelo Carrera and only a reflex save by Heaney is able to stop the fierce drive.
60' (CBS): A great run down the left wing, but the cross to Ansil Elcock is too close to Heaney and he snares it.
69' (CBS): Carrera delivers a sweetly-hit free kick from 25 yards that hits the bar with Heaney beaten - REBOUND! A New England defender scrambles the loose ball to safety.
73': 1997 Columbus Crew player suffers injury
79': 1997 Columbus Crew player shown a yellow card
89': 1996 New England Revolution player shown a yellow card
90+': 1996 New England Revolution player shown a yellow card
FT: 1997 Columbus Crew 1 - 0 1996 New England Revolution
The Crew dominate everywhere but on the scoreboard. The Revs attempted nary a shot on goal, let alone actually threaten to score. However, in league standings, a one-goal win gets the same three points a four-goal win does, so the Crew will take it and move on.
| 1997 Columbus | | 1996 New England |
| Bliss, 43' | GOALS | |
| 65% | POSS | 35% |
| 2 | YELLOWS | 2 |
| 0 | REDS | 0 |