Pablo Mastroeni gave the Rapids the early lead with a 25th minute goal off a beautiful assist from Omar Cummings.
Major League Soccer Playoffs, Rapids vs. Crew, Leg 1: Pablo Mastroeni Gives Rapids 1-0 Lead
Cummings received a pass and took it to the byline, sent a cross through the box that Conor Casey dummied and allowed to go through to an onrushing Mastroeni. The Rapids captain scored a sliding goal, his team's first home playoff goal since 2005.
The Crew came out strong, but were unable to get anything to show for their efforts and the momentum switched to the Rapids around the 10th minute.
Cummings started finding room and nearly had an earlier goal, but was ruled offsides. Frankie Hejduk, in particular, has had some trouble in the back, using his wrong foot to play several balls. The normally steady Chad Marshall and Andy Iro have also had some trouble in the back.
The Crew are 1-8-3 this season when allowing the first goal and have not won any road matches against the Western Conference this season.
This is the first playoff game the Rapids have played since 2006.
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