Columbus Rallies to defeat Fire and Reach MLS Cup

The Columbus Crew regrouped at halftime and rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Chicago Fire 2-1 and reach the 2008 MLS Cup.  The Crew flirted with trouble once again as they gave up the first goal in a match for the 18th time this year.  However, Columbus is the best team in MLS at overcoming deficits and once again this proved true.

Brian McBride had stunned the home crowd and put the Fire on top in the 29th minute as he knocked home a header off a floating cross from Justin Mapp.  McBride was not well received upon his homecoming as he was booed with every touch throughout the night.

The Crew regrouped at halftime and came out with a flurry in the second half as their season was on the line.  It only took 4 minutes for Columbus to even the score.  Eddie Gaven drew a foul on the right wing and Guillermo Barros Schelotto fired in the free kick which found the head of Chad Marshall who tied the match at 1-1.

Momentum was with Columbus and only 6 minutes after tying the match the lead was theirs.  Alejandro Moreno header found Eddie Gaven in full stride inside the right side of the penalty area.   Gaven picked up the ball and smartly slotted the ball past a charging Jon Busch and into the left netting for his first career playoff goal, in his sixth season in the league.

Chicago would create a couple of golden chances in the last few minutes, but the Columbus defense would hold and the Crew are going to their first MLS Cup.  The other MLS Cup participant will be decided this weekend when New York Red Bull face Real Salt Lake for the Western Conference crown.