Chivas USA rolled to a surprising 3-1 win over
the Columbus Crew at The Home Depot Center on Saturday behind a pair of late
first-half goals.
Justin Braun tallied his seventh goal of the season in the 37th minute before
Blair Gavin scored shortly before halftime, doubling the lead. Carlos Borja
then notched his first MLS goal in the 53rd minute, putting Chivas well on its
way to three points before a late goal from Steven Lenhart spoiled the clean
sheet.
The Goats victory gives the team eight points from its last four games
following a six-game losing skid, while Columbus saw its modest two-game win
streak halted.
Rodolfo Espinoza provided the service on the opening goal with a left-wing
cross toward the middle of the penalty area that was met by a powerful header
from Braun, who sent the ball sailing past goalkeeper Will Hesmer and inside
the right post.
The lead was then doubled thanks to some poor defending by the Crew, with
Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy starting the move with a long clearance from the
back.
The Crew back line allowed the ball to bounce, and after it came off of a
defender, Gavin pounced to fire the ball past Hesmer.
It took only eight minutes into the second half for Chivas to take complete
control as Giancarlo Maldonado assisted on Borja's goal before Lenhart took
down a cross from Jason Garey and lobbed the ball over the head of Kennedy for
a goal two minutes from time for the Crew.
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