Timbers, Crew Battle to 0-0 Draw

May 5, 2012, 10:31 pm

Both the Portland Timbers and the Columbus Crew had plenty opportunities to score, but missed shots and some superb goalkeeping kept both teams from finding the back of the net as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Troy Perkins, who received several facial lacerations after colliding with a Montreal Impact player last week, was suited up for the Timbers and made some crucial saves in the game.

One came in a 66th minute corner kick.  Milovan Mirosevic's cross found Josh Williams' head for the shot attempt, but a diving Perkins was able to get just a piece of the ball and knock it over the crossbar.

An even more critical save came in stoppage time in the second half when Justin Meram's cross attempt was intercepted by a sprawled out Perkins to end the Crew's scoring threat.

Columbus' Andy Gruenebaum was equally impressive in the match, coming up with six saves in the game, most of which came off various Kris Boyd shots.

Boyd threatened all game to score, but wound up missing the target by just a matter of feet at times.

This was the third game in a row the Timbers failed to score a goal. The only goal the team has seen in that span was an own-goal by Sporting Kansas City.

Portland will play the Houston Dynamo next on May 15th in Houston.

The Timbers and Crew both now have eight points in eight games.