The Columbus Crew returned to the pitch on Saturday evening traveling to Sandy, Utah to compete against Real Salt Lake in an interconference matchup. The Black & Gold took the pitch with 10 total changes from its lineup on Tuesday as head coach Wilfred Nancy looked to rest many of the players who went 120-plus minutes in Monterrey. With those changes, the Crew took home a satisfying 0-0 draw on the strength of defense and quality goalkeeping.

RSL looked to hit early in the third minute, forward Cristian Arango let go of a shot from just outside the penalty area that was collected by goalkeeper Evan Bush for his first save of the evening. The Black & Gold looked to hit back just two minutes later as midfielder Max Arfsten unleashed a cross from the right side that found the forehead of Wil Sands but his header was collected by goalkeeper Zack MacMath.

The hosts were presented with another quality scoring chance in the 13^th minute. MacMath, looking to restart play quickly, found Andres Gomez who got behind the Crew defense. He collected the ball and shot into the side netting, not challenging Bush. Despite the lack of a score, it showed the hosts were to be taken seriously.

Just five minutes later Gomez was at it again. He jumped a pass intended for Columbus defender Malte Amundsen. The RSL midfielder hit a cross intended for Cristian Arango but his attempt was placed left of goal.

Evan Bush continued to shine in goal. In the 23^rd minute, he collected a diving save to his right, denying Arango a quality scoring opportunity.

The 38-year-old Crew keeper saw his night come to an abrupt end in the 30^th minute. A scrum in front of the Columbus net nearly saw defender Rudy Camacho score an own goal but it was cleared away, unfortunately not without incident. Many players from each side collided with one another, including Bush. His injury proving too much for him to overcome and creating a debut opportunity for Nicholas Hagen.

The teams retreated into the locker room at the break tied at 0-0.

Hagen collected his first real save opportunity of the contest in the 50^th minute, denying Arango on a header from the center of the penalty area.

Looking to spark the offense, Nancy introduced Diego Rossi, Mo Farsi, and Marino Hinestroza into the contest in the 69^th minute. Hinestroza wasted no time getting into the flow of the game as he dribbled to the top of the box before shooting on the RSL goal to fire his opening salvo of the contest.

The Guatemalan backstop stood tall again in the 77^th minute, turning aside a venomous left-footed shot from Fidel Baraja and keeping it out of the Crew net.

It appeared Real Salt Lake would be presented with an opportunity to take the lead in the 85^th minute. Defender Rudy Camacho appeared to foul Anderson Julio inside of the penalty area. Initially called a penalty, referee Ramy Touchan overturned the call and ruled it offside following a conversation with assistant referee Brooke Mayo and Video Assistant Referee Jose Carlos Rivero.

Neither team could claim the advantage and the points as each settled for a 0-0 draw.

Double the debuts

It was a night of debuts for the Crew as midfielder Taha Habroune and goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen began their journeys with the Black & Gold. Both players were effective in their debuts but Hagen will steal the headlines in this one. The Guatemalan international pinch-hit for Evan Bush after the Crew keeper left due to injury. Hagen finished the evening making five saves and giving Columbus a much-needed point on the road following a long week.

I’ll take that

Some fans might not be content with just one point against RSL on Saturday evening. The Crew hasn’t won an MLS match in nearly a month, but a draw strangely feels like a win here. Following a thrilling penalty shootout against Tigres, it’s easy to have the mindset of “concede the battle, but win the war.” The MLS season isn’t going anywhere but if the Black & Gold are still in contention for a continental trophy, rest assured that Wilfred Nancy and his squad will devote its full assets to capturing that title while keeping an eye on things domestically.

Up next

It’s a rematch of the 2015 MLS Cup as the Crew welcomes the Portland Timbers to town on Saturday, April 20th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM.