Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - A total of four second-half goals, including a
brace from Eddie Gaven, saw the Columbus Crew and Houston Dynamo exchange leads
and play to a 2-2 draw at Crew Stadium on Saturday.
A tame opening period gave way to a thrilling second half that saw all four
goals scored in the span of 22 minutes. Will Bruin had given Houston the lead
in the 59th minute before Gaven's two-goal effort put Columbus in front. The
Dynamo ultimately drew level nine minutes from time with Brian Ching scoring
his first goal of the season.
Houston's opening goal came from a corner kick as Adam Moffat swung a delivery
into the box. Bruin was tightly marked but was able to connect, glancing his
head into the far corner.
Columbus responded quickly and equalized just four minutes later as Gaven made
the most of a defensive miscue and slotted his effort past an out-of-position
Tally Hall.
Gaven capped some impressive build-up play in the 74th minute to hand Columbus
the lead and bag his second goal of the season. Nemanja Vukovic played a
searching ball into the penalty area to find Aaron Schoenfeld, who chested the
ball bag to the top of the box where Gaven was waiting to rocket a shot into
the roof of the net.
The Dynamo were able to level the score before the final whistle though, and it
was Bruin who turned provider. The Houston striker collected a failed clearance
and centered the ball for Ching to finish.
Columbus (2-3-1) snaps a two-game losing skid with the draw, improving to seven
points on the season. With a 1-1-1 home record through three games, the Crew
will remain in Ohio for their next outing, a meeting with Vancouver Whitecaps
FC on April 28.
Houston (2-1-2) will continue its lengthy road trip in its next outing - the
club will not play at home until May 12 when BBVA Compass Stadium opens. The
Dynamo will head to RFK Stadium for a tilt with D.C. United on April 28.
GAME NOTES:
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