Rare playoff loss for United
McBride scores twice as Crew even series
Posted: Sunday October 18, 1998 10:22 PM
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Stern John (left) put the game away in the 81st minute with a header to score the Crew's fourth goal AP |
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Columbus Crew coach Tom Fitzgerald said he
may need some supernatural help in Wednesday's deciding game of the
Major League Soccer Eastern Division finals.
"We need to duplicate tonight's performance and bring a witch
doctor with us," he said Sunday after Brian McBride scored twice
in a 4-2 victory over two-time MLS champion D.C. United.
The defeat for United broke its streak of 13 straight playoff
victories and evened the best-of-3 series at one game apiece. The
third game will be played in Washington, where Columbus never has
won.
The winner advances to the MLS Cup championship game next Sunday
at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
The Crew scored early when McBride chased down a loose ball in
the box and pushed a shot past D.C. goalkeeper Tom Presthus from 10
yards out in the 8th minute.
Thomas Dooley made it 2-0 in the 37th minute on a header from 7
yards out off a cross from Jason Farrell.
McBride got the game-winner in the 47th minute, fighting off two
defenders and flicking a header inside the far post from 12 yards
out to put the Crew up 3-0. Defender Todd Yeagley assisted on
McBride's fourth playoff goal of the year.
Tony Sanneh came off the bench and put United on the scoreboard
with a header off a cross by defender Jeff Agoos in the 65th
minute.
Roy Lassiter made it 3-2 in the 77th minute after Carey Talley
intercepted a rushed pass from Dooley. Talley passed to Lassiter,
who struck it past Crew goalkeeper Juergen Sommer.
United coach Bruce Arena said that despite an embarrassing
performance, he thought his team would win after scoring two
straight goals.
"We obviously wanted to get a third goal," Arena said. "But
give Columbus credit."
MLS scoring leader Stern John put the game away in the 81st
minute with a header off a cross by Robert Warzycha.
The game, which was the last the Crew will play in Ohio Stadium,
featured an MLS record 50 fouls and seven yellow cards as the two
teams battled in a steady rain. Columbus will have its own
soccer-specific stadium next season.
Arena said he hopes the United can do better at home.
"We can deal with the pressure," he said. "We know the
significance of the game and we'll be out there and ready to
play."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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