Columbus, OH --
The Reserve squads from the Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls played to a 0-0 draw Friday morning at the Crew Training Facility at Obetz.
Zimbabwean midfielder Stanley Nyazamba and Senegalese striker Macoumba Kandji each suited up for the first time with their respective teams since joining MLS prior to the roster freeze date on Sept. 15. Nyazamba joined the Crew after earning USL-2 Rookie of the Yeah honors with the Richmond Kickers this past season, while Kandji is currently on loan to the Red Bulls from the Atlanta Silverbacks, where he tallied 10 goals and five assists during the recent USL-1 season.
The first half began with both teams finding it difficult to get anything going offensively, as the referee was forced to blow his whistle multiple times, culminating in a yellow card caution being issued to New York's Carlos Mendes in the 38th minute. As the half continued, the Crew found itself with the majority of possession, but was unable to capitalize due to several offside infractions and ill-timed turnovers in the attacking third, while New York was only able to manage one shot in the final minutes before the halftime whistle.
The second half saw the physical style of play continue from both sides, as each team struggled to gain a decisive advantage. Play eventually opened up, however, as both sides began to create scoring chances. The Red Bulls came out with improved play after its struggles in the first half, as it created several attacking opportunities against the Crew defense, including a laser strike from the top of the box that was parried away to safety by Crew goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni. Meanwhile, the Crew continued to pressure the New York backline, but its finishing struggles from the first half continued, as it failed to convert on any of its eight second half shots, including near misses by Andy Iro and Jason Garey in the Red Bulls' penalty area.
The draw brings the Crew to 3-3-2 (11 pts.) on the season, while New York moves to 2-4-2, (8 pts.) in MLS Reserve Division play. The Crew Reserve squad will get right back to action next weekend as it travels to New England to take on the Revolution Sunday, Sept. 28. The Red Bulls return to Reserve Division play on Sunday, Oct. 5, when it hosts Toronto FC at home.
Columbus Crew (3-3-2) vs. New York Red Bulls (2-4-2) (MLS Reserve Division)
Sept. 19, 2008 - Crew Training Facility at Obetz
Scoring Summary:
None
Columbus Crew Reserves: Kenny Schoeni, Andrew Peterson, Andy Iro, Ezra Hendrickson, Jed Zayner, Brian Plotkin (Ryan Junge 46), Duncan Oughton, Stanley Nyazamba, George Josten, Steven Lenhart, Jason Garey
Substitutes not used: Andy Gruenebaum (GK), Devin McKenney, Ricardo Pierre-Louis, Steve Traeger
New York Red Bulls Reserves: Terry Boss (Caleb Peterson-Sewell 46), John Gilkerson, Carlos Mendes, Chris Leitch, Danleigh Borman, Gordon Kljestan (Jerritt Thayer 74), Luke Sassano, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, David Roth, John Wolyniec (Sainey Touray 64), Macoumba Kandji
Substitutes not used: Danny Cepero
