USL News Release

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

BAYAMON, PR -- The Columbus Crew needed a draw to advance to the knockout stages of the CONCACAF Champions League and got just that on the road against the Puerto Rico Islanders, who with the 1-1 draw Tuesday evening finished the 2009-10 CCL campaign unbeaten at home.

Filling in for usual start Bill Gaudette, Justin Myers kept the Crew scoreless much of the game and as the second half wore on, the thought of an Islanders strike that could leave Columbus vulnerable depending on Saprissa's result loomed large.

But in the 74th minute, substitute Emilio Renteria provided the critical goal for the visitors two minutes after entering the match, burying the rebound off a good stop Myers made on Steven Lenhart.

Two weeks removed from their USL First Division semifinals exit at the hands of Montreal, who were in the inaugural edition of the CCL last year with Puerto Rico, the Islanders fought back and found the equalizer to keep their unbeaten status at home intact.

Noah Delgado headed a ball into the six to USL First Division Most Valuable Player and Defender of the Year Cristian Arrieta, who was looking to finish the play off at the edge of the six. Arrieta missed, however, and allowing the ball to awkwardly bounce in front of goalkeeper Will Hesmer, who was stunned when the ball slipped between his legs.

The draw gave the Islanders a two-year record of 5-1-4 at home with the Guatemalen side Municipal the only victors. The group play contest last year was five minutes away from a scoreless draw when Mario Giovany struck the decisive goal of the lone blemish on Puerto Rico's Champions League home record.

Overall, the club finishes its second Champions League campaign with an all-time record of 7-6-7 in the event.

Cruz Azul capped the night and group play with a 2-1 victory over Saprissa on the road to finish unbeaten atop the group at 5-0-1, which could be the best record of the group session pending the result of the finale for the 4-0-1 Pumas side.