Crew top Whitecaps; Cunningham ties record
Posted July 7, 2011 1:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER — Jeff Cunningham scored in the 90th minute, tying the all-time Major League Soccer record of 133 career goals, and the Columbus Crew beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 Wednesday.
Cunningham, who came on as a second-half substitute, headed his landmark goal past Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon after Columbus was awarded a late corner kick. He tied former D.C. United star Jaime Moreno for the MLS goal lead.
Columbus (7-5-6) ended a two-game losing streak even though Vancouver had the edge in scoring chances.
The Whitecaps dropped to 2-9-8 as they suffered their second straight league loss and third consecutive setback overall, including Nutrilite Canadian championship play.
Vancouver dropped to 1-4-2 under new coach Tom Soehn since he replaced the fired Teitur Thordarson at the end of May.
Deep in the Whitecaps’ 18-yard box, Cunningham headed in a cross from Josh Gardner on a play that developed from a corner kick.
The winning goal came after Columbus goalkeeper William Hesmer stopped Terry Dunfield on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute. Vancouver was also playing a man down after midfielder Shea Salinas was ejected in the 78th minute.
Hesmer dived to his right on a correct guess as Dunfield struggled to get muster on the shot. The penalty was awarded when Columbus midfielder Dejan Rusmir fouled Alain Rochat in the box as he was trying to field Dunfield’s long, high free kick. After committing the foul, Rusmir looked to the sky and clasped his hands.
It was the clubs’ second meeting of the season. Columbus posted a 2-1 home victory over the Whitecaps on April 30.
Vancouver played without top scorer Eric Hassli, who suffered a leg injury Saturday in a 2-1 loss to Toronto in the second leg of the Nutrilite final. As a result, 17-year-old rookie striker Omar Salgado made his second straight MLS start.
Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit (groin) and Davide Chiumiento (hamstring) also sat out with injuries. Dunfield was relegated to reserve status before subbing on in the second half, while speedy super-sub Nizar Khalfan made his first start since April 10 at Houston.
Columbus was also missing a number of key players due to injuries and suspensions, including Emilio Renteria (quadriceps) who scored both goals in the previous game against Vancouver.
The combination of Salgado and Brazilian striker Camilo proved effective for the Whitecaps as they dominated the first half and forced Columbus goalkeeper Hesmer to make four saves. Salgado fired wide on a couple of dangerous chances, and Hesmer was forced to catch two Camilo shots and a corner kick.
Camilo also got into some disciplinary trouble as he received a yellow card while backing into defender Chad Marshall in the 23rd minute.
Hesmer also made a difficult save on midfielder Gershon Koffie, who was carded in the seventh minute for a hard tackle. Moments before half-time, the Columbus ‘keeper caught a break as midfielder Shea Salinas beat him from a sharp angle but the ball hit the post, causing fans to groan in frustration.
The Whitecaps outshot Columbus 11-7 in the first half.
In the 51st minute, Cannon robbed Andres Mendosa as he deked his way into the 18-yard box. Three minutes later, Hesmer denied Camilo from point-blank range.
Vancouver lost Salinas in the 78th minute as he was red-carded for kneeing Gardner during a collision.
Notes: Columbus midfielder Eric Gehrig received a yellow card in the 74th minute while teammate Chad Marshall took on in the 85th. … Before the game, the Whitecaps held a moment of silence for late former owner Milan Ilich, who died June 29 of leukemia. Whitecaps players also sported black armbands in tribute to him. … Vancouver’s Dunfield will be suspended for a game on his next yellow card. … Columbus defender Andy Iro sat out due to a red card in Dallas while midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo was banned because of his fifth yellow card of the season, all received in the Texas City … Crew rookie midfielder Rich Balchan (groin) did not play after getting hurt Saturday in Dallas.
