Emmanuel Ekpo scored in the 14th minute early and Columbus made it stand as the Crew defeated Municipal of Guatemala 1-0 Wednesday in the first round of the CONCACAF champions League.
Ekpo put the Major League Soccer team ahead by dribbling around three players before shooting from just inside the penalty area. The ball hit the left post on the way into the goal.
Backup goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum made three saves for the Crew, including a diving stop of Guillermo Ramirez in the 10th minute. Jaime Penedo stopped six Crew shots.
The tournament is the club championship for North and Central America and the Caribbean region.
Columbus in the second round will play Mexico's Santos Laguna, which beat Joe Public of Trinidad and Tobago 5-2. Municipal hosts Joe Public on Aug. 26.
