Real Salt Lake Playoffs Tickets - Rsl Eliminates Columbus Crew From Playoffs

Javier Morales and Robbie Findley scored first-half goals and Real Salt Lake defeated the reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew 3-2

. Get Real Salt Lake playoff tickets and see Morales score a goal. RSL eliminated the Crew from the postseason and advanced to their second consecutive conference final on Nov. 5. RSL coach Jason Kreis acknowledged that it was the first time in a long time that his club played well in Columbus.

The victory, combined with a 1-0 home win on Oct. 31, gave Salt Lake a 4-2 aggregate win in the two-game series. Although the Crew set an MLS record by winning 24 straight home games, they finished the season with three consecutive losses.

Columbus coach Robert Warzycha denied that his team was outplayed in the last three games. He said, "Obviously today was a game that we also dominated but, you know, somehow we gave them some goals... Sometimes the better team doesn't win." Columbus' Guillermo Barros Schelotto gave the Crew a 1-0 lead when he fired a 56-yard free kick in the 19th minute. The ball bounced just outside the box and passed inches beyond the reach of diving goalkeeper Nick Rimando. The stunned goalkeeper stated that nobody got a head on the ball but it went through, anyway. Rimando admitted he couldn't do anything on the play and nobody was around to clear the ball away.

Schelotto scored again in the 35th minute. The forward intercepted a pass from Salt Lake defender Robbie Russell before he sent a pass to teammate Emmanuel Ekpo. Ekpo quickly returned the pass to Schelotto, who faked out RSL defender Jamison Olave before he drilled a low shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the right post.

Many soccer observers expressed their dissatisfaction with Warzycha's decision to sit out Scheletto in Game 1. After the game, Kreis praised Scheletto and gave his opinion on the move to bench the star player. The coach said, "He was unbelievable...Sometimes coaches make interesting decisions. (Warzycha's) decision to insert him tonight I think lit a little fire under Mr. Schelotto's rear end, and he was fantastic."

The Crew had a 2-1 lead, but it was short-lived. In the 37th minute of the game, Morales registered a goal after Columbus' defenders failed to cover the front of the net. His shot went by Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer. Right before the first half expired, Columbus captain Frankie Hejduk was whistled for taking down RSL's Fabian Espindola inside the penalty area. Findley drove a penalty kick into the left side of the net as Hesmer dove to the right. RSL tied the game two-all and carried the momentum into the second half.

Andy Williams scored in the 74th minute to give RSL a 3-2 lead.

Columbus had a chance to tie the game in the 85th minute, but Jason Garey's header was deflected by Rimando when he made a leaping fingertip save for one of his eight on the night. Kreis stated that he hoped the victory would bring newfound respect for his team.

by: Brent Warnken

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