Buoyed by a gritty 2-0 victory Sunday night in Colorado, the Columbus Crew have an opportunity Saturday to cement their reputation as one of the best group of road warriors in club history.
A win in Houston would improve the Crew to 5-3-2 in away matches and give then 17 road points, tied for fourth-most in club annals with five games left.
If victory No. 5 comes it would finally put the Crew over the hump. The Crew won four times outside Columbus in 2003 ... and '04 ... and '05 ... and '06 ... and '07.
In fact, in the previous 12 years of the club the Crew have won four road games in regulation play during a season nine times. Talk about consistency.
The benchmarks for away wins are the 1999 team that accumulated a record 21 points with nine victories in 16 matches -- although three of those wins came via the shootout (worth a point) -- and the 2001 squad that was 6-6-1 (19 points) before its last away match vs. Colorado was cancelled due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Of special note is the Crew of 2004 who had 20 away points but managed only four wins to go along with eight ties and three losses. The team set an MLS record with a nine-game road unbeaten streak but had just two wins during the stretch.
This year's team seems better suited to handle the rigors of road life as illustrated by the win against the Rapids. The Crew struck first when rookie forward Steven Lenhart, in his first MLS start, scored his third goal in the 21st minute off a lead pass from Stefani Miglioranzi.
Lenhart became the goat just before halftime when he elbowed Facundo Erpen and was given a red card. The Crew relied on the brilliant goalkeeping of Will Hesmer (seven saves) and a late insurance goal by reserve Jason Garey to secure the points and move to within two points of New England for the most points overall.
"This team is fine going on the road and playing," Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven said. "We don't really look at it too much differently than playing at home. We just keep going out and playing the same style of soccer. That's what we did (Sunday) although we had to play a little more defense than we have in past games on the road."
All the key statistics favored the Rapids except the one that counted on the scoreboard. Colorado had 17 corners to none for the Crew. Columbus was outshot 23-5 and had but three of the 10 shots on goal.
"There's been other games this year where we've outplayed teams and come away with nothing," Crew coach Sigi Schmid said. "This is one that turned the other way around. It all equals out. Three points were left on the table somewhere else and we ended up stealing them a little bit in Colorado. You have to complement Will on his performance and all the guys, the defenders -- their resolution and battle were very good."
The Crew fielded a new 3-5-2 formation with Frankie Hejduk moving up from right back to the right wing and Gaven, in his first action since an ankle injury June 10, on the left as the Crew adjusted to the losses of Olympians Robbie Rogers and Emmanuel Ekpo.
"When the ball's on the other side of the field it's almost like I'm playing left back. It was a little more defense than I'm used to playing but I'll do whatever I can to help the team," said Gaven. "Maybe it wasn't the nicest soccer, the prettiest game to look at, but for this team to play hard and get those three points is huge for us."
Hesmer made a key diving stop of Conor Casey in the 12th minute and two more at the end of the match to preserve his fifth shutout of the season.
"The last two or three minutes when I knew we were going to get the win I wanted the shutout, not just for me but for the team," Hesmer said. "Everyone had worked so hard and you wanted them to be rewarded. We had been given up goals of late so it was a nice team effort."
Columbus had allowed 11 goals in its previous five matches but got the defensive effort needed after Lenhart's departure.
"An old friend of mine used to say, 'Code red. Everybody in the bunker and nobody leaves without permission,'" Schmid said.
The Crew withstood the Rapids' assault and got breathing room in the 75th minute when Hesmer sent a goal kick to the head of Brad Evans, who got the ball to Garey for an exquisite flick with the outside of his right boot.
"To go down a man like that; they were taking the game to us but we kept on playing, kept on clawing," Gaven said. "Will made some great saves. The defense held strong. Steve and Jason did well in taking their chances."
The match at Houston presents problems for the Crew. In addition to Lenhart's automatic suspension, Hejduk will sit because of an accumulation of yellow cards. Also, Evans suffered a knock to his ankle and will be evaluated this week.
"It's going to be tough losing those guys but at the same time we're a really deep team," Gaven said. "That's one the qualities of this team. There are plenty of guys who are ready and willing to step in and do their part."
Garey likely will start for Lenhart. If Evans can't replace Hejduk then Duncan Oughton or rookie Cory Elenio could get the call. No matter the lineup, the Crew is confident in its ability to adjust.
"We showed we can win in different ways whether having to play defense most of the game or being able to play a little more of a free-flowing game," Gaven said. "That's definitely going to help us down the road."
And, on the road.
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
