making his first Chivas start -- was hauled down straight out from goal just beyond the restraining arc. Ante Razov stepped up and whipped a bending strike around the wall and past a stationary Andy Gruenebaum for his third goal and 101st in his league career.
• But in the 18th minute, the Crew struck back. Guillermo Barros Schelotto -- making his first MLS start -- took a pass on the right side of the area and drew two defenders to him. He laid a pass back for Ned Grabavoy, who strolled in and struck a shot that bounced off the inside of both posts before crossing the line for his second goal on the season.
• Chivas looked to have re-taken the lead in the 33rd minute when a Razov header from a corner kick again beat Gruenebaum, but as he had done on two previous occasions this season, Grabavoy was perfectly positioned to clear off the line and preserve the deadlock.
• Here's Schmid's team (4-3-3): Andy Gruenebaum - Frankie Hejduk, Marcos Gonzalez, Ezra Hendrickson, Rusty Pierce - Ned Grabavoy, Danny O'Rourke, Stefani Miglioranzi (Duncan Oughton 84) - Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Alejandro Moreno, Eddie Gaven (Ricardo Virtuoso 64). Substitutes Not Used: Brad Evans, Jason Garey, Bill Gaudette, Kei Kamara, Chad Marshall
• Here's Preki's team (4-4-2): Brad Guzan - Lawson Vaughn (Jason Hernandez 82), Shavar Thomas, Claudio Suarez, Jonathan Bornstein - Sacha Kljestan (Maykel Galindo 68), Paulo Nagamura, Jesse Marsch, Francisco Mendoza - Ante Razov, Laurent Merlin (Matt Taylor 86). Substitutes Not Used: Jorge Barrera, Preston Burpo, Anthony Hamilton, Orlando Perez
CHIVAS USA
Chivas USA concluded their two-game road trip with a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium, the back half of a home-and-home series between the clubs. Chivas USA are in third place in the Western Conference with 21 points from 14 matches, four points ahead of the Colorado Rapids and eight points behind the first-place tie between Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas.
LAST MATCH
• The Revolution were the only team not to play on Independence Day, their last match the 2-0 loss at Chivas USA the weekend before. In between, Chivas began their road trip with a 2-0 loss at FC Dallas.
• The visitors got off to a dream start. Alex Zotinca put in a corner from the right, and Claudio Suarez knifed in for a clear header that bounced high into the goal for a fifth-minute lead.
• Chivas had their chances to add to their lead but couldn't do so, and the Revolution hit for equalizer in the 64th minute. Ralston put in a corner from the right and Andy Dorman swung his leg to side-volley home his career-best sixth goal on the season. It was the 114th assist of Ralston's league career, tying him with former Tampa Bay Mutiny teammate Carlos Valderrama for the all-time MLS lead.
• Chivas USA head coach Preki made three changes to the team that lost 2-0 to FC Dallas. Claudio Suarez returned from suspension, coming in for Lawson Vaughn, while Paulo Nagamura also came off suspension, coming in for John Cunliffe. Ante Razov returned to partner Maykel Galindo in attack in place of Laurent Merlin.
• Here's Preki's team (4-4-2): Preston Burpo - Jason Hernandez, Claudio Suarez, Shavar Thomas, Orlando Perez - Alex Zotinca (Laurent Merlin 56), Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza - Maykel Galindo (Rodrigo Lopez 88), Ante Razov (John Cunliffe 76). Substitutes Not Used: Anthony Hamilton, Justin Myers, Eder Robles, Erasmo Solorzano
• "It was a difficult second half but it could have been two- or three-nothing in the first 15 minutes of the game. It could have gone both ways. We came here short-manned and we took home one point," Preki said.
TEAM NEWS
• After a 2-0 reverse at Pizza Hut Park on Independence Day, Burpo felt that it was critical that his side come into Gillette Stadium and get a point.
• "We played two games in four days," Burpo said. "It was important that we got a point out of this game." Said Preki: "It's important," Preki said. "In some respects, today was the same as in Dallas. We had some chances in the first half down there and we didn't put them away. Tonight, we put one away."
• The Revolution players were left shaking their heads at Burpo's performance, after he made eight saves on the night, many in the second half, and many of the highlight-reel variety. But with the return of Brad Guzan, as well as Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan from national team duty, Burpo will return to the substitutes' bench.
• "I am happy to play. (Brad) Guzan has played great for the first 11 games. I am just happy to get the last three," Burpo said. "Next Saturday, Guzan will be back in there that is just the way that it is set up at this point. Obviously, I would rather be playing but like I said I am happy to play the last three games. I felt good tonight, I have felt good the last two games. If they need me again, I will be ready."
• Chivas were also left lamenting early chances that went awry, including two glorious chances for Ante Razov and another Francisco Mendoza. Mendoza is still without a goal on the year, and his last assist came on April 28 (his second of the season.
• "He worked really hard. Obviously we need some offensive production from him right now but he is having a tough time in front of the goal and getting chances. Hopefully in the next couple of games he can get himself more involved offensively," Preki said.
COLUMBUS CREW
The Columbus Crew extended their unbeaten streak to six games, winning for the fourth time in five, getting two goals in the final quarter-hour for a 2-0 victory against Real Salt Lake last Saturday at Crew Stadium. The Crew moved into a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 22 points from 16 matches, level with the Kansas City Wizards (who have played one game less), now just two points behind the pace-setting New York Red Bulls.
LAST MATCH
• The Crew saw their three-game winning streak come to an end in a scoreless draw at Colorado on July 4, while Real Salt Lake were unable to build on their lone win on the campaign, falling 2-1 at home to Toronto FC on Independence Day.
• The Crew finally turned complete control of the match into goals in the 75th minute. Andy Herron tried to round Ritchie Kotschau on the right, but when the two tangled and Herron went to ground, referee Alex Prus whistled for the penalty kick. Guillermo Barros Schelotto converted from the spot for his second goal with Columbus.
• The teams went 165 minutes against each other this year before seeing a goal scored, but they had to wait just five for a second. Alejandro Moreno was able to put in a cross from the left and Eddie Gaven reached behind him to pick Moreno's cross out of the air with his left foot, sending a one-hop shot just inside the left post.
• Crew head coach Sigi Schmid made two changes to the team that played to a scoreless draw with the Colorado Rapids. Stefani Miglioranzi returned to the lineup in midfield, in place of Ezra Hendrickson, while Jacob Thomas also returned to the first team, in place of Kei Kamara.
• Here's Schmid's team (4-2-3-1): Will Hesmer - Frankie Hejduk, Marcos Gonzalez, Chad Marshall, Rusty Pierce - Danny O'Rourke, Stefani Miglioranzi - Jacob Thomas (Andy Herron 70), Ned Grabavoy (Eddie Gaven 64), Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Alejandro Moreno (Kei Kamara 90). Substitutes Not Used: Jason Garey, Andy Gruenebaum, Ezra Hendrickson, Jed Zayner
• "To be on a roll is important and we've gone six [games] now without a loss. Really, the tribute goes to the guys because when we were going through the bad streak they didn't stop believing in what we're trying to do," Schmid said. "They kept fighting, there was no disharmony in the camp, the guys stayed together off the field and now it feels good to turn it around."
TEAM NEWS
• Things turned around for the Crew with a comeback from two goals down against then-Eastern Conference leader New England to grab a 3-3 tie on June 16 -- and the Crew haven't lost since.
• "I think the last couple of games, especially at home, have been games where we've outplayed opponents but we've had to work to eventually get the goals and that requires you to be focused and concentrated and not get frustrated, and we were able to do that (against RSL)," Schmid said.
• Since Schelotto and Moreno became fixtures in the Crew lineup, beginning with the May 12 tie with Chivas in Columbus, the Crew have scored 17 goals - and one of the two South American attackers has been involved in 13 of those.
• "Guillermo and I have a very nice understanding and he knows where I'm going to be in certain instances in the game and I know what his tendencies are and we really understand each other pretty well and we try to balance up with each other," Moreno said. "Again, our jobs are to be dangerous, to be active, to create opportunities for the team and to finish those opportunities and we did that."
• "We were playing like that earlier in the year, too, but we just weren't getting those goals and now they're coming along. When you get on these streaks, the ball is bouncing the right away. We knew and we felt that we were going to score a goal and that we were going to win this game at halftime, even though it was 0-0, just because we were outplaying them so much."
• When Frankie Hejduk left the Crew for international duty, the Crew were riding a five-game winless run. Since his return, they've won two and tied one and haven't allowed a goal.
• "We were playing like that earlier in the year, too, but we just weren't getting those goals and now they're coming along. When you get on these streaks, the ball is bouncing the right away," Hejduk said. "We knew and we felt that we were going to score a goal and that we were going to win this game at halftime, even though it was 0-0, just because we were outplaying them so much."
• As well, the unbeaten streak coincides with the installation of Will Hesmer between the posts. Since allowing three goals in the come-from-behind tie with New England, he's allowed three goals in the last five games.
• "He's undefeated right now, so that's a good thing, and both he and Andy [Gruenebaum] as well, when he played, are both very steady and you don't see them screaming at guys and panicking and stuff like that and that's good. I think it gives your defense confidence," Schmid said.
