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Played
July 31, 2010 10:30 PM EDT
Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
July 31, 2010 10:30 PM EDT
Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Top of the Match
Justin Braun
Chivas USA
Chivas USA
G. Maldonado
Chivas USA
Chivas USA
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Chivas USA 3-1 Columbus Crew: Goats Thump Lackluster Crew At Home
By Manuel Carrera
Chivas USA and Columbus Crew faced off in a match featuring teams at opposite ends of the table midway through the season. Though Chivas USA have been better as of late, undefeated in their previous three matches, they anchored the Western Conference table and faced a Crew squad that featured two starters in the All-Star match against Manchester United.
First Half
Giancarlo Maldonado provided the first threat of the match eight minutes in as he and Justin Braun sped toward Will Hesmer’s goal. Though Braun was open to his right, Maldonado opted for a cheeky flick that Hesmer controlled without issue.
Five minutes later, Guillermo Barros Schelloto played a cross in from the left toward Eddie Gaven. In a midair collision, Gaven’s head hit goalkeeper Dan Kennedy’s knee. Kennedy immediately signaled the sideline for help as Gaven struggled to make it to his feet. Following the injury, Robbie Rogers replaced the injured Gaven in the 17th minute.
Chivas USA attacked the Crew once more in the 20th minute, as Justin Braun rushed by a sleeping Columbus backline, only to have his shot turned away by Danny O’Rourke. Though Columbus had the majority of through the first 25 minutes, the Goats took advantage of counterattacking opportunities to create the more dangerous situations early on.
In the 37th minute, Justin Braun opened the scoring for Chivas USA as he met a Rodolfo Espinoza cross from the left and buried a header in the right corner of Hesmer’s goal. Following the Goat’s previous effort on goal, Columbus attempted to maintain possession, but seemed to struggle to create a dangerous opportunity to keep the Goats at home.
In the 45th minute, off of a powerful Kennedy goal kick, Blair Gavin chased the ball into the Crew penalty area, where Shaun Francis attempted to chest it to Hesmer. Gavin got a foot on the ball and flicked it in for his third goal of the season.
At the interval, it was evident that the injury to Gaven had taken a toll on the Crew as they struggled to create anything that could inconvenience a Chivas USA which has endured a difficult season. Schelotto played deeper to try to conjure some of his magic, but Chivas USA made the most of Crew errors and made them pay.
Second Half
No changes for either squad at the half as Columbus came out of the tunnel with a greater sense of urgency after a lackluster first half. The Crew appeared more dangerous in the attack, and hustled much more after loose balls in the midfield. It was all for naught, though, as Maldonado chested a ball to Carlos Borja who smashed the first goal of his young career from 14 yards out.
In a tactical change, Robert Warzycha substituted defender Andy Iro for striker Steven Lenhart in the 56th minute in search of a goal, while risking an even larger blowout with a three-man backline. In the 65th minute Warzycha brought in Jason Garey for Emilio Renteria, but
neither change altered the proceedings because the rotation for Columbus was too slow against a younger, more athletic Chivas USA squad who patiently waited for counterattacking opportunities.
Columbus’ subdued effort may be due in part to fatigue, but Warzycha clearly sent the message that he wanted more out of the Eastern Conference leaders.
In the 88th minute, Columbus finally got on the scoreboard as Steven Lenhart was left unmarked in the area and coolly flicked a shot over Kennedy for the final goal of the match. The goal was the culmination of a fantastic individual effort by Lenhart who, along with Emmanuel Ekpo, did not relent in his time on the pitch.
The win leaves Chivas USA undefeated in the last four matches, their longest such streak this season. The Crew meanwhile, left Los Angeles having given up a season-high three goals in an ugly loss. Chivas USA will travel to BMO field where they will meet ex-manager Preki for the first time since he left the squad to take over Toronto FC, while Columbus travel to Philadelphia for their first meeting with the Union.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
First Half
Giancarlo Maldonado provided the first threat of the match eight minutes in as he and Justin Braun sped toward Will Hesmer’s goal. Though Braun was open to his right, Maldonado opted for a cheeky flick that Hesmer controlled without issue.
Five minutes later, Guillermo Barros Schelloto played a cross in from the left toward Eddie Gaven. In a midair collision, Gaven’s head hit goalkeeper Dan Kennedy’s knee. Kennedy immediately signaled the sideline for help as Gaven struggled to make it to his feet. Following the injury, Robbie Rogers replaced the injured Gaven in the 17th minute.
Chivas USA attacked the Crew once more in the 20th minute, as Justin Braun rushed by a sleeping Columbus backline, only to have his shot turned away by Danny O’Rourke. Though Columbus had the majority of through the first 25 minutes, the Goats took advantage of counterattacking opportunities to create the more dangerous situations early on.
In the 37th minute, Justin Braun opened the scoring for Chivas USA as he met a Rodolfo Espinoza cross from the left and buried a header in the right corner of Hesmer’s goal. Following the Goat’s previous effort on goal, Columbus attempted to maintain possession, but seemed to struggle to create a dangerous opportunity to keep the Goats at home.
In the 45th minute, off of a powerful Kennedy goal kick, Blair Gavin chased the ball into the Crew penalty area, where Shaun Francis attempted to chest it to Hesmer. Gavin got a foot on the ball and flicked it in for his third goal of the season.
At the interval, it was evident that the injury to Gaven had taken a toll on the Crew as they struggled to create anything that could inconvenience a Chivas USA which has endured a difficult season. Schelotto played deeper to try to conjure some of his magic, but Chivas USA made the most of Crew errors and made them pay.
Second Half
No changes for either squad at the half as Columbus came out of the tunnel with a greater sense of urgency after a lackluster first half. The Crew appeared more dangerous in the attack, and hustled much more after loose balls in the midfield. It was all for naught, though, as Maldonado chested a ball to Carlos Borja who smashed the first goal of his young career from 14 yards out.
In a tactical change, Robert Warzycha substituted defender Andy Iro for striker Steven Lenhart in the 56th minute in search of a goal, while risking an even larger blowout with a three-man backline. In the 65th minute Warzycha brought in Jason Garey for Emilio Renteria, but
neither change altered the proceedings because the rotation for Columbus was too slow against a younger, more athletic Chivas USA squad who patiently waited for counterattacking opportunities.
Columbus’ subdued effort may be due in part to fatigue, but Warzycha clearly sent the message that he wanted more out of the Eastern Conference leaders.
In the 88th minute, Columbus finally got on the scoreboard as Steven Lenhart was left unmarked in the area and coolly flicked a shot over Kennedy for the final goal of the match. The goal was the culmination of a fantastic individual effort by Lenhart who, along with Emmanuel Ekpo, did not relent in his time on the pitch.
The win leaves Chivas USA undefeated in the last four matches, their longest such streak this season. The Crew meanwhile, left Los Angeles having given up a season-high three goals in an ugly loss. Chivas USA will travel to BMO field where they will meet ex-manager Preki for the first time since he left the squad to take over Toronto FC, while Columbus travel to Philadelphia for their first meeting with the Union.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |