Two second half goals from Eddie Gaven were unfortunately not enough to win the game as a late equalizer from Brian Ching meant Columbus had to share the points with Houston Dynamos on a chilly Saturday night at Crew Stadium.
All the goals came in the second half after both teams failed to impress during the opening 45 minutes.
Will Bruin opened the scoring for Houston in the 58th minute with a glancing header off ex-Crew midfielder Adam Moffat’s in-swinging corner.
Eddie Gaven’s first goal came from a combination of defensive mistakes and good fortune, a stark contrast to the midfielders second goal, a screaming left foot drive from just outside the box that flew past Houston’s goal keeper, Tally Hall.
Houston tied up the game in the 81st minute when Brian Ching picked up his first goal of the season after directing Will Bruin’s defense splitting pass beyond Crew’s Andy Gruenebaum.
The lack of three points wasn’t enough to stop the excitement of Frankie Hejduk’s return. The now retired Crew Legend spent the closing stages of the second half mingling with fans in the Nordecke while leading chants and holding down the drum beats.
The Crew return to action at Crew Stadium next Saturday night as they host Vancouver.