Columbus Triumps In Pioneer Cup

In a tribute to the late Lamar Hunt, the two teams that Hunt owned at the time of his passing met in the first-ever Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup in Frisco, Texas, yesterday, with the Columbus Crew scoring a 3-0 victory over FC Dallas.

At Pizza Hut Park, the match looked like a classic pre-season game, with few scoring opportunities in the first half. After halftime, Columbus was the better side, spending much of the second half in the attacking third. In the 51st minute, Joseph Ngwenya struck a ball from the left-side that beat FCD keeper Shaka Hislop, but couldn't bend inside the far post, instead caroming harmlessly away from the box. Seven minutes later, Danny O'Rourke hit a rocket that slammed off the crossbar, with Ngwenya in the perfect place for the rebound. He slotted it home to give the Crew a 1-0 lead.

In the 62nd minute, Kei Kamara got into the action, receiving a pass from Stefani Miglioranzi and beating Hislop at the far post for a 2-0 advantage.

The men in yellow weren't done yet. In the 86th minute, Aaron Chandler added an insurance goal for Columbus. His shot was initially stopped by Hislop, but managed to trickle into the back of the net.

Other notes: Newly acquired Robbie Rogers made his debut for Columbus, coming on in the 76th minute... Stefani Miglioranzi recorded assists on all three Columbus goals. Miglioranzi was acquired in the off-season after a brief stint with the Los Angeles Galaxy last year... Crew defender Frankie Hejduk was back in the lineup for the first time in almost a year after suffering torn knee ligaments in 2006 - he is looking fully recovered.

Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup

With about a month to go before the MLS season officially starts, those of you itching for some action on the pitch can take in the Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup. Named in honor of Lamar Hunt, one of the pioneers of the MLS, the game will feature the two teams owned by Hunt Sports Group, Columbus Crew and FC Dallas, in a charity match to be held at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. The game will raise funds for Dallas Scores, a program that helps inner-city youths.

Lamar Hunt passed away in December 2006, after a battle with cancer. "If it wasn't for Lamar Hunt, U.S. soccer wouldn't be the same," said FCD second-year midfielder Dax McCarty. "He was a true innovator and one of the true believers in the game to succeed here." Hunt was one of the founders of both Major League Soccer and its predecessor, the North American Soccer League, and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1982.

The game will air on Fox Soccer Channel today at 6:00 p.m. EST/3:00 p.m. PST. FC Dallas will also unveil a commemorative 'LH' circle patch that will be worn on the right sleeve of the uniform this season.

Lamar Hunt
1932 - 2006