Not only did Cold Spring Harbor, L.I. native Alex Grendi make his pro debut in the Columbus Crew's opener on Saturday night, he helped to create the defending MLS champions' lone goal in their 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo.

Houston took the lead in the 53rd minute, when Chris Wondolowski sprung Brian Ching with a pass behind the Crew defense, which Ching poked home for his first goal of the season.

The Crew responded in the 82nd minute when Grendi, who replaced Robbie Rogers at halftime, sent a diagonal pass to second-half substitute Jason Garey at the top of the box. Garey nodded the ball down to a wide open Guillmero Barros Schelotto who calmly slotted the ball inside the right post and into the back of the net.

Grendi, who played with Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero at the University of Pennsylvania, was selected in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft as the 45th overall selection.