Leg 1: Crew 0-1 Rapids

The Colorado Rapids will be taking a one-goal lead to Columbus thanks to a first half goal from captain Pablo Mastroeni.  Omar Cummings supplied the ball from the right side of the penalty area on the ground with pace.  Cummings' initial target looked to be strike partner Conor Casey, but Casey's attempt at a backheel on goal failed and the ball rolled to a late-charging Mastroeni who easily slotted home the game's only goal in the 24th minute.

Columbus played very flat throughout the first half, giving the Rapids several chances to increase their lead, but none of their shots could find the back of the net.  The flat play from the Crew could be attributed to their lack of rest in the past few weeks.  The nine days off before the return leg in Columbus will be a major advantage for the Crew.  Because of obligations to the CONCACAF Champions' League and the U.S. Open Cup, the Crew haven't had nine days between games since early August.

While Columbus was very lucky to be down only one going into the half, the Crew seemed to regroup late in the second half and nearly found an equalizer on several occasions.  Eddie Gaven found an unmarked Andy Iro off a free kick with about five minutes left.  Iro got a good header off but it was straight at Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens.  Columbus nearly equalized a few minutes later after Pickens punched a ball to the edge of the penalty area and the ball was headed back towards goal but just went off the post as Pickens was off his line.

Pickens appeared to pick up some sort of an injury in the second half as he did not take the goal kicks for the Rapids in the latter stages of the game.  This is something to keep an eye on over the next eight days before the game in Columbus.

Waiting for the Crew back in Columbus is one of the best home field advantages in all of Major League Soccer.  The Nordecke, filled with members of the Hudson Street Hooligans, Crew Union and La Turbina Amarilla, will likely be filled to the brim next Saturday, cheering on the Crew.  The Nordecke creates one of the best atmospheres in the league and the Crew feed off the energy provided.

Columbus has to like it's chances to advance to the Eastern Conference Final after playing much better in the second half.  The team will be well-rested following a hectic couple of months.  One big question is whethere or not forward Emilio Renteria will be ready to play in Columbus.  MLSsoccer.com reported that Renteria would miss the second leg but the Crew have not confirmed this.  The Venezuelan was very much in-form in the last week, scoring three goals in two games against Joe Public and Philadelphia.

While the Crew will be disappointed they did not come away from Commerce City with a draw or better, they found some rhythm in the second half that should carry over when the two teams meet on November 6 in Columbus.

Prediction: Columbus will take that rhythm they found in the second half back with them and get started quickly in the second leg.  I think the Crew will find a goal in the first 15-20 minutes and another just before the half to put them ahead on aggregate at halftime.  With Colorado pushing to find an equalizing goal in the second half, the Crew will get a third on a quick counter involving some combination of Rogers, Gaven and Ekpo.  Colorado may pull one back late, but it will not matter as the Crew advance 3-2 on aggregate.

Columbus vs. Colorado - Eastern Conference Semifinals

While Columbus' season has been somewhat of a roller coaster for fans and players, the Crew seem to have regained some valuable momentum heading into the playoffs.  Following a midweek victory over Joe Public in the CONCACAF Champions' League, the Crew gave the fans something to appreciate on Fan Appreciation Day at Crew Stadium with a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.

For the Colorado Rapids, it was a much less satisfying end of the MLS campaign.  Despite leading defending MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake 2-0 heading into 2nd half stoppage time, the Rapids gave up 2 goals in injury time to keep Salt Lake alive for the Supporter's Shield (which ultimately went to the Galaxy with their victory on Sunday.)

This matchup will come down to whether or not the Crew's defense will be able to slow down the goal scoring tandem of Conor Casey and Omar Cummings.  Casey and Cummings have combined for 50 goals over the past two seasons and for the Crew to have any chance, they will need to slow down this duo. 

The Crew's defense seems to have gotten its chemistry together in the last game as Chad Marshall and Andy Iro are towering presences who affect the game at both ends of the field.  Captain Frankie Hejduk is a constant force at the back and rookie left back Shaun Francis has proved he is more than ready to handle the pressures of the MLS Playoffs.

The always dangerous Guillermo Barros Schelotto will lead the Columbus attack.  Steven Lenhart is likely to get the start along Guillermo up top in Commerce City as Emilio Renteria has been ruled out of the opening leg of this series.

Despite losing goalkeeper William Hesmer to an unfortunate shoulder injury in the game against the Union, the Crew have a competent backup in Andy Gruenebaum.  Gruenebaum was between the pipes for the Crew's games in the Champions' League as well as the U.S. Open Cup matches.

Prediction: Robert Warzycha learns from his mistake of not starting GBS in Salt Lake last year and Guillermo leads the Crew to a 1-1 draw in the first leg with the goals coming from Omar Cummings for the Rapids and Robbie Rogers getting on the scoresheet for the boys in black and gold.