The Crew scored the game-winner just one minute later, in the 84th. Brian West raced down the right side with the ball and sent it into the middle of the box for Washington. Washington made a nice first touch to spin with the ball toward the right post, and his shot from a few yards out went right by Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon. Another starter, Jimmy Conrad, also missed the game as he attended to family matters. You only need 11.
Injuries are part of the game.
Unfortunately, it's some of our big guns that are hurt. Columbus outshot San Jose, 7-4, in the first half. On the Earthquakes' two best shots, Dario Brose hit a line drive from 35 yards out in the 28th minute, but Crew goalkeeper Mark Dougherty went down to save it. And in the 45th minute, Harut Karapetyan's shot from the top of the box went wide right. The Crew's scoring chances increased as the half went on, and Cannon prevented a goal on their best opportunity in the 44th minute.