Crew Advance in Champions League with 1-1 Draw in Puerto Rico

Black & Gold becomes first MLS side to advance to knockout stage of 2009-10 Champions League competition

BAYAMÓN, PR- The Columbus Crew became the first team from Major League Soccer to reach the quarterfinals of the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League tonight, getting a 74th-minute goal by second-half substitute Emilio Renteria to earn a 1-1 draw with the Puerto Rico Islanders at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel.

The draw gave Columbus eight points in Group C, three better than Costa Rica's Saprissa, who lost to Cruz Azul, 2-1, later Tuesday night.

Renteria, who entered the game two minutes earlier for Emmanuel Ekpo, capitalized on the work of Steven Lenhart, who replaced Frankie Hejduk in the 61st minute. Lenhart won a ball outside the area and closed on Puerto Rico goalkeeper Justin Myers, who raced off his line to challenge the advancing forward.

Myers blocked Lenhart's initial shot, but the rebound bounced back to Renteria, who shot over the out-of-position keeper to equalize the match and eventually send the Black & Gold on to a quarterfinal berth.

Columbus joins Mexican sides Pumas, Pachuca, Cruz Azul and Toluca in the knockout round and will learn its quarterfinal opponent in the November 17 draw at CONCACAF's New York headquarters.

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