An own goal midway through the second half gave Chivas USA the deciding goal as they defeated the Columbus Crew 2-1 at The Home Depot Center on Saturday.
The game-winner came in the 69th minute when Francisco Mendoza knocked a ball toward goal from 22 yards out, taking a deflection along the way off Eddie Gaven inside the penalty area and past Will Hesmer into the back of the net. Ante Razov scored in the first half but Stefani Miglioranzi answered for the visitors.
Nevertheless, the victory puts Chivas in solid standing in the Western Conference. Still unbeaten at home, the Red-and-White are now seven points ahead of Colorado and moved to within six points of second-place FC Dallas. The Crew saw their six-match unbeaten streak come to an end.
Chivas USA coach Preki quickly inserted his returning internationals into the starting lineup. Brad Guzan took his familiar spot in goal as Preston Burpo returned to the bench after picking up four points from three starts, and Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein started in the midfield.
Kljestan was on the right flank while Bornstein played on the left side out of necessity. Paulo Nagamura (sprained knee) and Alex Zotinca (suspension) were unavailable, so Bornstein got the nod on the left of midfield while Orlando Perez started his seventh consecutive match at left back.
Jesse Marsch connected with Galindo in the 19th minute and it paid off with a goal. Marsch won the ball near the top of the Crew's penalty area. He slipped a pass to Galindo, who darted around Crew defender Chad Marshall and fed Razov. The ball got past Crew defender Marcos Gonzalez and Razov tapped the ball across the goal line.
The lead, however, did not last long. Columbus won a corner kick four minutes later and Argentinean legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto sent the ball into the center of the box. Miglioranzi rose for the header and slammed the ball off the crossbar and just over the line.
Chivas USA nearly answered with a set piece of their own. Marsch won a free kick some 30 yards out. Razov fed Orlando Perez who was unmarked on the left side of the area. Perez crossed the ball to the front of the goal and Marsch whipped a header on goal. Hesmer, though, reacted quickly and made a diving save.
Galindo beat Gonzalez and Rusty Pierce in the 37th minute and ran unmarked inside the penalty area but he could only push a shot wide of the far post after he'd beaten Hesmer from 15 yards from the right side of the box.
Bornstein and Kljestan combined for a scoring chance in the 50th minute. From the top of the penalty area Bornstein, fed Kljestan but he sent a weak shot at Hesmer who easily scooped up the ball.
Some nifty passing helped set Galindo up in front of the goal in the 65th minute but Hesmer again saved Columbus. Galindo held the ball on the left side of the field and found Merlin at the top of the area. Merlin held the ball and found Kljestan outside the area. Kljestan chipped a shot over the defense to Galindo, who ripped a shot on goal only to have Hesmer turn it aside.
Chivas finally regained the lead after the visitors fell out of rhythm on a corner kick. Gonzalez ran back for a loose ball but crumbled to the field and inadvertently sent the ball over the end line and gave Chivas a corner kick. Gonzalez immediately motioned for a sub and former Chivas defender Ezra Hendrickson came on.
Kljestan took the corner and fed Mendoza, who fired from 22 yards out. The ball took the deflection past Hesmer into the net and while it gave Chivas the lead, Mendoza was left still officially looking for his first goal on the season.
Galindo almost put the game on ice when Mendoza found him inside the area in the 74th minute. Galindo beat Hesmer but his shot caromed off the post and over the end line.
Guzan saved Chivas with one final stop in the closing moments. Stefani Miglioranzi connected with a header off a corner kick that forced the Chivas 'keeper into making a difficult save.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
