Real Salt Lake knocks Columbus from MLS Playoffs

Real Salt Lake made a furious rally Thursday night to knock top seeded Columbus Crew from the 2009 MLS Playoffs 4-2 on aggregate.  The top seeded Columbus Crew came home down 1-0 after the opening leg in Salt Lake City last weekend.  Within 35 minutes Thursday night they had turned the series around with a pair of goals from Guillermo Barros Schelotto.  The home crowd seemed satisfied that correctness had been restored. 

Unfortunately for Columbus, Real Salt Lake did not get the memo.  RSL stormed back from down two and had the game tied at two by halftime.  A 37th minute goal from Javier Morales started the rally and a penalty from Robbie Findlay just before halftime put Real Salt Lake back in control.

Columbus was down a goal on aggregate and also trailed on away goals.  The second half would be difficult and frustrating for the Crew who attacked for the important goals.  Instead it was RSL and Andy Williams that found another goal in the 74th that gave RSL some breathing room. 

Columbus had chances afterwards, but it just wasn't meant to be as the home crowd groaned with every wasted attack.  The Crew will be sitting home for the rest of the palyers despite putting together the best regular season in the MLS this year.  Real Salt Lake goes on to face the winner of the Chicago-New England series.