Toronto FC had their goalkeeper to thank in the end, but leave Ohio with the Eastern Conference final still deadlocked heading into the second leg at BMO Field.
Alex Bono made a terrific second-half save to preserve the Reds’ clean sheet as the Columbus Crew piled on the pressure late, but Gregg Berhalter’s men - who scored four at home against New York City FC - could not find a way through.
Toronto’s chances were few and far between, with Tosaint Ricketts’ header over the crossbar in the first half their best opportunity at goal.