First XI: Reflections across the pond

First XI is lucky enough to be in London for Wednesday's friendly between the U.S. and England. So here's a rundown of notes heading into the showdown, which should provide American players and fans with an almost fantasy-like experience.

11. It's like a reunion: Walking through the lobby of the team hotel is like attending an MLS reunion. By my count, the U.S. has five current MLS players and 11 MLS alumni on its 22-man roster. Always great to see the likes of Eddie Lewis, who I wrote about in ESPN The Magazine's 1999 MLS Preview, where he was pictured alongside Clint Mathis, Ben Olsen, Ross Paule and C.J. Brown under the headline, "Will Play for Food."

10. Away is the way: Talking to the players, there's a thrill they'll get out of playing this match at Wembley that could never be duplicated playing a game like this on U.S. soil. And it's not just that Wembley is ... Wembley ... it's knowing that U.S. fans will be watching the game during the afternoon, while they're playing under the lights, the way they've watched so many games from Europe. It's hard to describe, but I sense they feel it will be like playing on Monday Night Football, even though it's Wednesday Afternoon Soccer. We've developed a cultural thing in the States, I believe, where soccer fans seem to know that Wednesdays at 2:30 or 3:00 is when big games are on.

9. What Beck-ons: I've been here for over a week now and can tell you that Brits are keen to know how David Beckham is doing in "The MLS." In fact, one cab driver was quick to point out to me that the Galaxy are leading the league in goals. In the lobby of my hotel on Sunday, where I was covering a golf event, I was showing anyone I could find the video clip of Beckham's empty-net goal.

8. The Holy Grail: Like the players, I'm thrilled to be making my maiden voyage to new Wembley. I never got to the original and can only list Old Trafford, Anfield, Villa Park and the no-longer-with-us Maine Road as the stadiums I've seen in England. You could actually see the disappointment in the players faces on Tuesday when they were told their training session would be at Watford as Wembley's pitch attempts to mend from playoff matches on three consecutive days. When the players walk on to the field on Wednesday, it'll be their first time on the grass. If I'm not mistaken, the only U.S. player on the current roster who's ever played on this field is Lewis.

7. Not the American way: Speaking of the playoffs, it never ceases to amaze me how thrilling it is for clubs and their fans to "move up." I've learned that the American expression that "second place is for losers" -- and all related American-isms -- is, as they say over here, rubbish. After watching three football playoff matches this weekend, where teams (and their cities) were fighting simply for the right to play at a higher level next season, I've come to the clear conclusion that there's more to life than first place. Saturday's 1-0 victory for Hull City over Bristol City was thrilling. Never in their 104-year history have Hull City's Tigers played in England's top division, but they'll get their chance next year because of a wonder goal struck by (get set for this name) Dean Windass, who is 39 years old, roughly 39 pounds overweight, and who grew up in Hull.

6. On the tee: As I stated earlier, I've been over here for a week working on a golf story and there's something really fun about working the range at a European Tour event. The players and caddies talk way more about soccer than they do about golf and it seems every player has a club he lives and dies with. Paul McGinley was talking Celtic. Paul Lawrie lives and dies with Aberdeen. Ian Poulter actually places an Arsenal flag behind his spot on the range. I watched the Champions League final with a tour vet named John Bickerton who's a devout Aston Villa fan. Oh, and by the way, I did see one youngster at the Wentworth Golf Club with his LA Galaxy jersey on ... No. 23, of course.

5. Landon at 100: Congrats are in order for Landon Donovan, who will join Joe-Max Moore, Tony Meola, Earnie Stewart, Kasey Keller, Eric Wynalda, Paul Caligiuri, Claudio Reyna, Marcelo Balboa, Jeff Agoos and Cobi Jones in the 100-cap club. He will also become the fourth-youngest player in the world to reach 100 caps for his country. Only Cha Bum-Kun (South Korea), Sami Al-Jaber (Saudi Arabia), Mohammed Al-Khilaiwi (Saudi Arabia), reached the century mark at an age young than Donovan, who turned 26 on March 4. How old does this note make you feel?

4. Was it really three years ago? Had to look twice at this one to believe it. Remember the U.S.-England match at Soldier Field? The one that England won 2-1, where Clint Dempsey scored his first international goal? I could not believe that was already three years ago. Guess time flies when you're having fun. It also made it hit home that qualifying is just around the corner, and before we know it, hopefully South Africa 2010.

3. How about? I'm even old enough to remember the U.S. beating England (no, not in 1950), 2-1 in 1993 at Foxboro Stadium, on goals by Thomas Dooley and Alexi Lalas. I went searching Youtube for a clip of that Lalas goal but it's not up yet. We'll test the powers of First XI and see how long it takes for a soccer fan to get that goal up for all of us to see. In the meantime, here's an Alexi video that'll take you down Memory Lane.

2. Over here. I must admit, much as I fancy myself as a soccer and MLS historian (kinda, sorta) I had no idea that the U.S. has only played England once in England. That was in September of 1994, and the U.S. lost 2-1. Current U.S. assistant coach and former Wizard/MetroStars/Fire player Mike Sorber went the full 90 in that one.

1. It should be fun. I'll be the first to admit that sometimes the English Premier League stars almost seem like TV stars to me, since I never get the chance to see them in person and the only time I've ever interviewed any of them was 10 years ago when I did a piece on an 18-year-old Michael Owen and also got a chance to talk to Alan Shearer and David Seaman. So, it will no doubt be thrilling to see the Americans face off against the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry, not to mention Owen and others. Enjoy the show.

Wheldon steps out of car, onto field

First XI: E-mail lessons

Guzan hopes to seize opportunity

TFC, LA both missing key pieces

TORONTO --- One of these seasons, Toronto FC fans will finally get to see a full-strength match between their club and the Los Angeles Galaxy. That match, however, won't be this Saturday.

With the international schedule in full swing, the Reds will be missing several prominent names from their lineup on the weekend. Midfielder Carl Robinson is playing for Wales in a friendly against the Netherlands on June 1. Amado Guevara will be gone for much of the next two weeks as he leads his native Honduras into its World Cup qualifying effort against Puerto Rico, as well as two friendlies. Goalkeeper Greg Sutton is playing for Canada in a friendly against Brazil in Seattle on May 31, and maybe also play in a June 4 friendly against Panama.

Defender Jim Brennan, who has 43 caps for Canada, will also play for his national team in the June 4 match, but asked out of the Brazil game in order to stay with TFC.

"Seeing as we're missing a lot of players, I didn't feel it was right for myself to go out there and play that game and leave us a bit short here," Brennan said. "Dale [Team Canada head coach Dale Mitchell] was very good about it. Sutts had to go since I think they were lacking a little bit in that department, but [Mitchell] said I could just come down to the Panama game."

In additional to internationals, Toronto has also been bitten by the injury bug. Danny Dichio and Tyrone Marshall are both questionable for Saturday's match due to nagging injuries. Dichio came out of Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions' League qualifier against Montreal after 41 minutes due to a groin injury that has bothered the striker for the past several weeks.

Marshall, meanwhile, missed the Montreal game after being taken off in last Saturday's 3-2 loss to D.C. United. TFC head coach John Carver said Marshall was battling both a hamstring strain and a possible foot infection. Carver said both Marshall and Dichio would be re-evaluated on Friday.

With all of these absences plus Laurent Robert's suspension after being sent off in injury time of the D.C. game, there are suddenly several holes in what had been a very stable Reds lineup. It is reminiscent of the Galaxy's only other visit to BMO Field, last August 5. TFC was missing several regulars with injuries, but still played well in a one-sided 0-0 draw.

The situation won't be as dire this season when Los Angeles comes to town. Carver said his club has been preparing for such a scenario of international duty colliding with the team's fitness, particularly since the L.A. game will be TFC's fifth match in a 15-day span. Carver said he doesn't expect much of an adjustment period for the new faces in the starting XI.

"I think the guys who are coming into the system ... have been on the bench waiting for a chance," Carver said. "We don't do anything different to what the first team does in the reserve team, so they understand how we want to play. It shouldn't be much of a difference."

Carver pointed out that some of the reserve players will be motivated by what in some cases is their first extended game action of the season, and by their desire to steal a spot in the lineup. He noted that defender Olivier Tebily, who came on for Marshall last Saturday and played the full 90 minutes in Montreal, has already earned more playing time.

"I thought [Tebily] was our best player [against Montreal]," Carver said. "I thought he was outstanding. Again, here's another player who's been waiting for an opportunity ... if somebody comes in and plays well, they keep the shirt. I don't care who it is or who they are, they keep the shirt. Olly, for me, has done enough to keep the shirt."

Tebily seems set for another start at center back, while Brian Edwards will make his second start of the season at goalkeeper. Up front, TFC will likely play a traditional two-striker formation in the absence of attacking midfielder Guevara, which means forwards Jeff Cunningham and Jarrod Smith will see the field, especially if Dichio isn't fit.

Maurice Edu will return after his own international duty with the United States, and will probably be joined in the midfield by Kevin Harmse and Todd Dunivant, the two likeliest candidates to fill in for Robinson and Robert in the midfield.

Dunivant, for his part, is ready to contribute. The veteran has 122 starts in his six-year MLS career, but just one start and 129 minutes this season. Dunivant has accepted his reduced role as a by-product of the team's success, but is still itching to prove himself worthy of being a starter once again.

"I'm out here training every day. I'll be ready to go when the time comes," Dunivant said. "When things are going right, why switch it up, you know? But it's a long season and being a veteran, I know you're going to need all the guys to play. There's going to be injuries, there's going to be international duty, and so you'll need a full squad like you'll see this week. It's not easy being on the sidelines, but roles change throughout the year and I don't plan on staying there."

While TFC won't have its ideal lineup on Saturday, things are far from gloomy on the Toronto side. The Reds have an unbeaten 3-0-2 record at BMO Field this season and haven't lost a home match since Sept. 22, 2007. Toronto also won their first match of the season against Los Angeles, a 3-2 result on April 13.

And, while the Reds are missing several key players, the Galaxy will be without a major piece of their attack in David Beckham. The midfielder is scheduled to play for his native England in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago on June 1. It will be the second consecutive year that Beckham has missed a date at BMO Field. Last year's game on August 5 was supposed to be Beckham's first official MLS game with L.A., but an ankle injury delayed his league debut to August 18.

Toronto fans might have to wait until the MLS All-Star Game on July 24 to see Beckham on the BMO Field pitch. Carver, for his part, isn't too upset about missing the English superstar.

"I'm disappointed for the fans and the ladies in the crowd," Carver joked. "But I'm absolutely over the moon that he's not here because he's a top player. We saw that [in England's 2-0 friendly win over the United States] with the service he provided for John Terry's goal. Deep inside I'm delighted he's not here."

Toronto still winless at RFK

Competition intense in friendly

FCD's 'Bird Man' starts to take flight

FRISCO, Texas -- Known as the "Bird Man," FC Dallas forward Dominic Oduro is flying high at the moment. The 22-year-old native of Ghana comes off the first two-goal performance of his MLS career on Saturday night against Real Salt Lake that led to a 2-1 win at Pizza Hut Park, FCD's first triumph in the month of May.

Oduro's brace last weekend came after he scored the Hoops' lone goal in the 5-1 loss to the L.A. Galaxy the Sunday before. In just those two games, Oduro has already equaled his season high for goals, which he set last year in 29 games, 10 of those as a starter.

A second-round pick (22nd overall) in the 2006 SuperDraft, the former Virginia Commonwealth standout has made big strides since his rookie campaign.

"I think I've really developed and come very far," Oduro said. "I think that I continue to work on it but won't stop because there's always room for improvement. Hopefully, I will keep getting better and better."

Oduro's second tally in the 91st minute against RSL, that proved to be the game winner, was nominated for Sierra Mist Goal of the Week. But he didn't enter the match until the 65th minute as a substitute, something he has done in all six matches he has played so far in the 2008 season.

Oduro, however, is not content just to play the role of "super-sub."

"That's a good thing, for me to be able to come in and run at defenses when they're tired," he said. "But as a player, that's not a dream for me because I don't want to be coming off the bench the whole time. If I'm given more time, which hopefully I will, then I think I can get some more out of it. It's great to come off the bench to score goals but it's my dream to be in the starting 11. I'm looking forward to it."

He scored his first goal in the 83rd minute, a tally which drew the match level after RSL's Fabian Espindola put the visitors ahead 1-0 in the 69th minute. Oduro did a somewhat subdued version of his Bird Man goal celebration after that goa, but after the second, he ripped his shirt off in jubilation.

"I didn't do it (the celebration) in the L.A. game because we were down 4-0 and I didn't think that was a good time to do it," Oduro said. "In the Salt Lake game, I did it after the first goal but didn't do it after the second goal because it was just a great relief. After what happened when Steve Morrow left, I think the group was down a little bit. After that second goal, I wasn't even thinking about the Bird Man, I was focused on us winning. It's still here and hopefully, I will score more goals and we will see it more."

Oduro's performance might have earned him a spot in the starting 11 for Wednesday's match against two-time defending MLS Cup champion Houston, where he could start up top alongside Kenny Cooper, who leads FCD with five goals. His teammates have clearly noticed how well the Bird Man is playing.

"He's been playing great," FCD defender Drew Moor said. "He's just so dangerous. I hate training against him and as a defender of an opposing team, I would hate playing against him because he's so fast, is a threat and his feet are getting better."

Moor has definitely seen a different Oduro than what he saw in 2006, when he was an MLS rookie.

"I think when he first came here, people would criticize him when he was on the ball," he said. "But he's cleaned that up and is an extremely dangerous forward right now. The way that he's playing right now, we need to ride stuff like that. He's getting us goals and points. We want him to keep that up."

FCD can’t find answers for Galaxy

Galaxy attack explodes in rout of FCD

Dynamo pressure results in victory

Return to first overdue for Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. -- When the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Kansas City Wizards 3-1 over the weekend, it was more than just a rare win for the Western Conference against an Eastern Conference foe. It also pushed the Galaxy into first place in the conference -- a place where they haven't been since early in the 2005 campaign.

For a team that has missed the MLS Cup Playoffs the past two seasons and has finished below .500 in each of those years, it's certainly nice to be back on top. But complacency isn't about to set in down amongst the Galaxy. While it's nice to be playing well right now, there are still a lot of games left to be played.

"(First place) means nothing right. We don't look at the table so much," said Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit. "It feels good for the players. There are a lot of games left. We know this is going to be a long season."

If history is any lesson, it's been proven that how a team is playing in the first few months of the season has very little to do with who wins the MLS Cup in November. Still, being on top early has its advantages in the long run.

"It's means we're playing well lately, but (being in first place) means very little to be quite honest. We want to keep playing well. We want to keep gaining points," said Chris Klein. "What this team showed last year is that you can't give away points early because you get to the last game of the season and you may need them."

While it is still very early in the season, this year's Galaxy team is looking much better than the past two seasons. The team's relative health can be attributed to the good start, especially when it comes to David Beckham, who is enjoying his first full season with the Galaxy.

"The biggest thing is David's healthy. That just gives us another soccer player with a good mind and good brain that can play," said Landon Donovan. "Obviously other people need to play, but the more soccer players you have on the field that know how to play, the easier it is."

It's not just Beckham's health either. Barring any injuries this week, when the Galaxy travel to Toronto this weekend for their next league game, the only player unavailable due to injury will be reserve goalie Charles Alamo. That's a far cry from last season, when the Galaxy locker room looked more like a triage unit than a soccer team.

As good as they are playing right now, there is the potential for them to come crashing down to earth in a hurry. Several of the Galaxy's regulars, including Donovan, Beckham and a recently healthy Carlos Ruiz, will miss time with international duty this summer. How that affects the team remains to be seen, yet even there is a dip in form, it seems unlikely that this club will get knocked off of its even keel.

"A few years back Columbus went like 20 games without losing and then lost in the first round of the playoffs. That's the way this league is," said Donovan. "The key is to get into the playoffs and hopefully be playing well at the end of the year."

Galaxy looking for scoring balance

Crew oust RSL from U.S. Open Cup

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Crew continued their hot 2008 on Tuesday night, this time topping Real Salt Lake 2-0 at Crew Stadium in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in match. The Black-and-Gold got goals from rookie Steven Lenhart in the first half and Robbie Rogers in the second half to take a step closer to the U.S. Open Cup field.

With the victory, Columbus advances to play the Chicago Fire in both teams' final play-in match on June 10.

Both Columbus and RSL have extra busy schedules this week, playing three matches in seven days. With the extra game in mind, Crew head coach Sigi Schmid mixed a few new faces in his lineup, hoping to keep some of his players fresh. Lenhart, a 2008 MLS SuperDraft pick from Azuza Pacific University got the start at forward in his first appearance with the first team.

The Crew opened the game by booting the ball long down the left sideline. Rogers used his speed to track it down just before it rolled over the end-line, sending a cross back to Crew forward Adam Moffat. Moffat ripped a shot but had it blocked by the Real Salt Lake defense. The rebound bounced out to Emmanuel Ekpo, who too saw his shot blocked by the Real defense, keeping RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando's net safe for the moment.

Lenhart would make Schmid's decision to start him look good in the 26th minute. Ryan Junge took a deep throw-in for the Black-and-Gold and tossed it into a dangerous area of the box. Crew forward Alejandro Moreno went up to battle for the header but two RSL defenders collided with him and each other, knocking the ball loose. Lenhart sprang into action and beat everyone to the spot, unleashing a low, hard and gave the Crew the lead when Rimando couldn't handle it.

The Crew looked to double the lead in the first half, attacking often. Lenhart had a chance to sneak past the defense and double his tally but was caught offside. Rimando seiezed the opportunity to counter-attack and started his team back in a hurry, but the Crew defense was able to get back just in time to thwart the RSL attack.

As the second half opened tempers began to flair a bit on the field. In the 49th minute, RSL midfielder Dema Kovalenko collided with Ekpo while battling for a loose ball near the endline. A foul was called on Ekpo and, as both players got up off the ground, an exchange of shoves ensued along with some words, after which Kovalenko tossed the ball at Ekpo, hitting him in the face. Referee Jeff Gontarek held a conference with his line judge and dismissed Kovalenko with a straight red card, sending RSL a man down.

Rogers continued his campaign for the 2008 U.S. Olympic team by netting another scorcher of goal in the 53rd minute. This time the 21-year-old winger stood 25 yards from goal, rolled the ball to his preferred right foot and blasted a rope to the far post. Rimando could not react in time to reach the well struck ball, and the Crew had a two goal lead.

Going a man down almost seemed to open up the attack a little more for Real Salt Lake, as they began to work the ball forward better than they did with 11 players. Schmid gave the start in goal for the Crew to Andy Gruenebaum, who was barely tested in the first half. The second half was a different story as RSL began to throw players forward down two goals. Gruenebaum made diving saves in both the 61st and 71st minutes, first to stop Kyle Beckerman and the second to keep Andy Williams out of the net.

Gruenebaum and the Crew defense continued to hold their lines and keep the RSL attack out of the net through the final few minutes of the game, giving the Black-and-Gold the shutout and a ticket to the next round of U.S. Open Cup play.

Unlikely heroes shine for Columbus

RSL again can’t find mix on road

Quakes’ offense awakens in loss

Dynamo force draw with FC Dallas

FRISCO, Texas -- On two occasions, FC Dallas drew ahead but they couldn't hold their leads and had to settle for a 2-2 draw with the Houston Dynamo before 8,541 fans Wednesday night at Pizza Hut Park.

The Hoops got a first half goal from Kenny Cooper and another from Drew Moor in the second. But both times, Houston answered. First it was Corey Ashe in the 59th and then it was Dwayne DeRosario in the 93rd minute.

Both sides finished with 10 men after Houston's Eddie Robinson got his second yellow of the game in the 80th minute and FCD's Andre Rocha was shown a straight red after a pushing match between Robinson and Saragosa inside the Houston box. Saragosa also got a yellow for his role.

Cooper's tally, his team-leading sixth of the year, was assisted by Pablo Ricchetti. After Houston forward Kyle Brown was called offside, Ricchetti took the restart near midfield and floated a great ball to Cooper, who was on the left flank and about 20 yards from goal.

The Dallas native corralled the ball with his right heel and then dribbled about three yards inside the box with Houston's Craig Waibel in pursuit. Cooper then hit a curling ball that landed in the right side of the net just past an outstretched Pat Onstad to give the home side a 1-0 edge.

As for Ashe's goal, the first of his MLS career, it came after some great ball movement by two of the Dynamo's marquee players. Dwayne De Rosario worked his way free and dashed up the right flank before sending a great ball to Brian Ching inside the FCD box. The Houston striker trapped the ball beautifully before spotting Ashe on the left side. Ashe then pounded it into the left side of the goal to tie the match at 1-1.

FCD struck pay dirt again in the 69th when Moor headed one home for his first goal of the year. Rocha got his fifth assist of the year after serving in a great corner from the near flag. Moor, who was left unmarked from about 10 yards out, headed the ball perfectly, which bounced before going into the right side of the net.

But the Orange weren't finished. After Ashe hit a great cross from the right flank in the 93rd minute, Ching got off a header that was saved by Sala. The rebound fell to the feet of DeRosario, who punched it home for the equalizer.

Both sides were forced to make several changes to their starting 11. With starting left back and team captain Wade Barrett unable to because of a left adductor strain, Houston head coach Dominic Kinnear inserted Craig Waibel into his spot.

Kinnear also inserted rookie Geoff Cameron in at right back and moved Richard Mulrooney to the central midfield to take the spot of Ricardo Clark, who is away with the U.S. National Team. Up top, the Dynamo gave Brown his first start since joining the team on March 4 after being claimed off waivers from Colorado.

FCD interim head coach Marco Ferruzzi also made several changes to his starting 11 from a 2-1 win on Saturday over Real Salt Lake. At left center back, Adrian Serioux returned after missing the RSL game on suspension for a red card he received after a hard tackle on L.A. midfielder David Beckham in a 5-1 loss on May 18.

Blake Wagner, who just returned from playing for the U.S. Under-23 team at the Toulon Tournament in France, returned for the Hoops at left wingback, replacing Anthony Wallace. Also, Andre Rocha moved from the central midfield to the right flank with Saturday starter Bobby Rhine serving a suspension following a first half red card. Ferruzzi also put 2007 MLS All-Star Juan Toja back into the starting 11 in the midfield. And Dominic Oduro, who has scored all three of FCD's goals in the last two games, started up top for Abe Thompson.

It was actually FCD who got the first chance of the game when Cooper got a nice look in the seventh minute but saw his attempt go high and wide right over the Houston goal and Onstad.

In the 11th minute, Mulrooney took the first corner of the game for the visitors from the far flag. A perfectly-placed ball landed at the feet of Stuart Holden but his shot was saved by FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala at the left post.

Three minutes later, Holden nearly capitalized on a miscue by the Hoops backline. Holden got the ball well inside the FCD box but his shot went wide left. In the 18th, Holden was issued a yellow card after a hard foul on FCD's Marcelo Saragosa near the midfield.

After a 19th-minute shot by Toja went wide right, the home side blew a golden opportunity when in the 26th minute, Cooper found some room on the left flank and sent a great left-footed cross through the box. Saragosa was streaking unmarked toward the far post and had a great look at the net, but the Brazilian midfielder chose to try and hit it with his left foot, didn't hit the ball squarely and the shot went wide right.

Houston midfielder Dwayne De Rosario lined up to take a free kick for the visitors in the 29th minute about 30 yards from goal but his shot went high. Another effort by the Canadian international in the 37th sailed to the left of goal.

About seven minutes after the goal, the Dynamo attack finally looked to awaken. Holden had a shot deflected in the 41st, just before Mulrooney, who was with FCD in 2005 and 2006, hit a great shot from long range in the 42nd that was saved by Sala but went over the endline.

Houston nearly converted on the ensuing corner, which was also taken by Mulrooney. His kick was headed at the left post and then landed at Robinson's feet but his shot at the equalizer went high.

Just before the first half whistle, Cooper shot one wide right. At the break, Houston had eight shots to FCD's five. One shot was on frame for each side in the opening 45 minutes.

Both coaches had to go to their benches early in the second half. Houston brought on Ashe for Brian Mullan to start the second half after Mullan complained about feelings of exhaustion at halftime.

Ferruzzi also had to make an early sub when captain Duilio Davino left the pitch in the 47th for Aaron Pichkolan. Davino had been kicked in the first half and suffered a right ankle injury. Ricchetti took the captain's armband for the Hoops as he left the field.

After being quiet for the entire first half, Ching was finally heard from in the 48th minute. It wasn't much of a chance and he wasn't able to muster a serious bid at a tying goal and his shot went high. In the 57th, Robinson was shown yellow for a deliberate handball.

FCD had a great chance to pull ahead again in the 60th minute. Toja showed great pace in dribbling up the left flank and sent a great cross toward Ricchetti, who was just in front of the Houston goal. Toja's ball hit Ricchetti in the back and Onstad had the presence of mind to swat the ball away and out of danger.

In the 75th, DeRosario made another bid to find the back of the net but this time was thwarted by Sala. In the 76th, a Houston corner by Brad Davis was brought down by Cameron but his shot went wide right.

Both sides return to action this weekend. Houston hosts New York at Robertson Stadium on Saturday night while FCD travels to Colorado to face the Rapids at Dicks Sporting Goods Park on Sunday afternoon.

Dynamo settle for draw with Chivas

Dynamo on unlucky side of draw

Dynamo breathe easy after first win

Unlikely heroes shine for Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Columbus Crew Sigi Schmid has always believed that his squad had quality depth beyond the starting 11. After Tuesday night, he has some evidence to back that claim up.

Fielding a lineup that featured a number of usual Reserves and left several notable stars on the bench, the Columbus Crew opened their 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup season with a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake at Crew Stadium. MLS rookie Steven Lenhart netted the lone first half goal and Robbie Rogers struck a boomer in the second to round out the scoring for the night. The win moves the Crew into the next round of play-in games against the Chicago Fire.

"It was their mixed line-up against our mixed line-up so it was comparable," Schmid said. "But that's the thing I've been saying -- I think we have some depth and we have people that come off the bench and can play, and I think that's shown tonight."

"I thought Steve [Lenhart] played well," said Schmid. "He got some good chances and he scored a decent goal. With a little more composure at certain times he may have had two or three goals."

The Crew's final selection of the 2008 SuperDraft, Lenhart had never lived far from his native California before joining the Crew - choosing to stay in-state and attend Azuza Pacific. Upon hearing that her son was making his first start with the senior club, his mother flew to Ohio for Tuesday's match.

"My mom actually ended up coming to the game. She flew out from California so I had to go up there to say Hi to her," said an obviously excited Lenhart, who did indeed make trips to the corner where his mother was sitting after both his goal and the end of the game.

Perhaps more impressive than Lenhart's night were the nights of reserve defensive backs Jed Zayner and Ryan Junge. With reserve goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum in goal, the Crew only fielded two normal starters in the back five.

"All the guys that filled in did a great job today keeping the zero and limiting their chances," said Chad Marshall of the mix-matched back line.

"Anytime you get a shutout and you have three out of five players in the back are guys that haven't played any minutes, I think it's great," said Danny O'Rourke who, along with Marshall, was the only regular in the back five. "I think Andy played well, apart from trying to take me out of the game."

While barely tested in the first half, Gruenebaum was called upon several times in the second half, most notably on a Kyle Beckerman header from closer range.

"It feels good just to be on the field in a big game, finally," said Gruenebaum. "Reserve games are fine as well, but that felt more like a bigger game so it was good."

After losing the man early in the second half, the field opened up a little bit for RSL, on both ends. While they were working the ball forward much more than the first half, they did not get enough guys back to cover the speedy Robbie Rogers, who netted the cushion goal in the 53rd minute. This time the Crew's leading scorer did not use his speed, but the strength of his right foot, firing a blast off the right post and past Salt Lake 'keeper Nick Rimando.

Rogers tagged his goal Tuesday night his favorite, so far, of the young year.

"Maybe that was my goal so far this season, for me at least," Rogers said. "I didn't score in the last two games in league, so it's nice to get back on track."

Coach Schmid spoke highly of his young winger, who is improving his chances of getting a ticket to the 2008 Olympic Games with every goal he scores.

"We talked about it after the last game and said, 'Everything was good in the last game but you didn't get any shots. You need to shoot,' and so tonight, especially after he scored the goal, I think he tried to shoot everything that came to him," Schmid said. "He's a player that every game, if he gets three or four shots, he's going to get goals. It's not just the goals, he's confident with the ball. He's confident taking people on."

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