Eddie Gaven's 22nd minute goal has stood up as the only score of the second leg despite the Crew applying most of the pressure in the first half.
Major League Soccer Playoffs, Leg 2: Crew, Rapids Tied On Aggregate At Halftime
Guiellermo Barros Schelotto set up Gaven's score on a header that he was able to direct to the outside of the six-yard box. Gaven volleyed it past a diving Matt Pickens to pull the aggregate series even.
As fortunate as the Crew must have felt to be within a goal after the first leg, they were just as unfortunate to have just one goal in this leg. Gaven hit the post earlier in the match, Andres Mendoza pushed a shot just wide on a 1 v. 1 and Robbie Rogers had a ball cleared off the line by a sliding Marvell Wynne. The Crew had several other opportunities that were not quite as close, but were very dangerous.
After the goal, the Rapids settled down a bit and created some chances of their own. Jeff Larentowicz had a free kick hit off the crossbar around the 30th minute and Omar Cummings was able to get a clean shot off that was saved by Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum around the 40th minute.
Brian Mullan and Schelotto have each been issued yellow cards for hard tackles.
Whichever team wins this series will host the San Jose Earthquakes in the Eastern Conference finals.
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