SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - Eddie Gaven scored in the fifth minute and Columbus Crew withstood several threats to beat Saprissa 1-0 Wednesday night, boosting its chances of advancing to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.

The result gave the Crew six points and moved the U.S. Major League Soccer champion within a point of Group C leader Cruz Azul. Saprissa remained with three points, two better than last season's semifinalist Puerto Rico as the Group Stage reached its midpoint. Two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals.

Gaven converted out a midfield run, getting the ball after a quick exchange of passes between Jason Garey and Brian Carroll. The occasional U.S. national team midfielder headed the ball past Saprissa defender Andres Nunez, controlled the ball with his chest and ran into the top of the area before unleashing a right-footed shot that beat keeper Keilor Navas inside the far post.

Although Columbus beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1 on Sunday to take the overall lead in MLS, it was coming off a pair of prior losses, including a 5-0 drubbing by Cruz Azul in Mexico City on August 26 - its last match in the Champions League.

Saprissa came into the match unbeaten in five matches the Costa Rican league, but had won only one of its last three.

Despite allowing the early goal, it controlled much of the possession and play after Gaven's strike.

Walter Centeno was at the center of much of Saprissa's offense, including a header for an apparent goal that television replays showed he was three meters offside.

Duncan Oughton cleared a shot off the line in the 28th minute and goalkeeper Will Hesmer had to react at his left post to smother a chance by Jairo Arrieta in the 56th. Saprissa's best chance late came when Olman Vargas received the ball unmarked eight meters from goal in the 89th. He turned but shot just wide of the left post.

Columbus did manage some possession, including a ball that rolled through the Saprissa area in the 80th and left-footed shot by second-half substitute Robbie Rogers that Navas had to block and needed help to corral the rebound.

Columbus returns home on September 23 for a rematch with Cruz Azul while Saprissa travels to Puerto Rico to face the Islanders on Tuesday.