October 31, 2009
MLS PLAYOFF ROUNDUP
RSL opens strong against the Crew

SANDY, Utah—Robbie Findley’s 88th-minute goal gave fourth-seeded Real Salt Lake a 1-0 win over the #1 seed Columbus Crew in Saturday’s Eastern Conference semifinal at Rio Tinto Stadium, and a 1-0 aggregate lead over the defending MLS Cup champions heading into Thursday’s series finale at Columbus Crew Stadium.

Yura Movsisyan came off the bench in the 65th minute and immediately began creating scoring chances for what had been an ineffectual RSL attack, ultimately setting the stage for Findley’s game-winner. Movsisyan took Will Johnson’s throw-in deep on the left side before squaring a cross to Findley in the six-yard box. Findley slipped past defender Eric Brunner to get to the ball and poke it inside the near post.

The Crew, who put only two of seven shots on goal during the match and left scoring leader Guillermo Barros Schelotto on the bench throughout, had no response for Findley’s tally, not even penetrating the RSL penalty area until the closing seconds of the four minutes of stoppage time. Eddie Gaven dribbled in and went down after light contact from Chris Wingert. He came up expecting a penalty kick, but got only the final whistle.