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Crew gets first win of the season

Apr 29, 2007 - 3:55 AM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Ezra Hendrickson was in the right place at the right time twice and the second time paid off.

Hendrickson scored midway through the first half and the Columbus Crew picked up their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over D.C. United.

Saturday's game was delayed by lightning for 24 minutes late in the second half but the added rest did not do United any good.

Columbus (1-0-3) had not recorded a win against D.C. United since April 15, 2006. The Crew were 0-5-2 in the seven meetings since then but Hendrickson helped end that streak while sending United to its third straight loss of the season.

"Ezra is just a tremendous player," Crew coach Sigi Schmid said. "A lot of times the Caribbean players get a rap that they are not that intense or competitive. Nobody is more intense than Ezra and nobody wants to win a game more than him. He has a tremendous work ethic."

Hendrickson took a shot that eluded United goalkeeper Troy Perkins but was kicked off the goal line by defender Devon McTavish. D.C. midfielder Joshua Gros tried to clear the ball but his header went right to Hendrickson, who fired a low shot into the net in the 28th minute.

"The first shot wasn't the best shot and they were able to save it and luckily I got it back and I knew I had to finish that one and I was able to put it away," Hendrickson said.

United (0-3) appeared to have tied the score 14 minutes later on a goal by Luciano Emilio. The goal was disallowed by referee Jorge Gonzalez, who ruled that Emilio deliberately used his hand to score the goal.

"I am definitely disappointed in the result, its one of the worst starts for us for the season," United forward Jaime Moreno said. "We have to get back to work and believe that things will turn around.

"We have to defend better as a team, it's very simple. We have to create more chances, simple things and right now we are not doing that and not getting the results."