Crew SC failed to score a goal and, as logic dictates, failed to beat Toronto FC on Saturday in front of 26,252 at BMO Field.
But it would be hard to consider a 0-0 tie with Toronto a failure.
The Crew limited Toronto to a season-low eight shots, kept league MVP and top scorer Sebastian Giovinco in check and left Canada with a good road point. That it did so with rarely used rookie midfielder Rodrigo Saravia playing out of position at center back made it all the more impressive.
Saravia had played 31 minutes before he was called upon to replace injured defender Gaston Sauro in the 35th minute, and he held his own against Giovinco (eight goals, five assists this season) and the rest of the Toronto attack.