LEXINGTON, Ky. — Former Kentucky standout goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum has helped lead his Columbus Crew team to the 2010 Major League Soccer Playoffs, with the Crew set to face the Colorado Rapids at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday at Dicks Sporting Goods Park, with the game televised on ESPN2.

Gruenebaum, a UK letterwinner from 2002-05, will start in goal for the Crew throughout the playoffs as starting keeper Will Hesmer, a Wake Forest alum, is out for the postseason due to a fractured right shoulder, which occurred during the regular-season finale.

A 2005 first-team All-Conference USA selection at UK, Gruenebaum spent every minute in goal as a senior for the Wildcats, posting a 0.91 goals-against average with 21 shutouts in his 66 career contests. In the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft, Gruenebaum was picked with the third overall pick.

In his MLS career, Gruenebaum has totaled a 1.39 goals-against average, totaling four shutouts and 70 saves in over 2,000 minutes.

The conference semifinals will take place October 28-November 7, with the conference finals slated for November 11-14. The 2010 MLS Cup will be held on Sunday, November 21, at BMO Field in Toronto.

Kentucky returns to action on Wednesday, facing No. 17 Tulsa at 8 p.m. ET at the Hurricane Track and Soccer Stadium.