Crew flex muscle against Galaxy

Columbus jumps to lead in race for Supporters' Shield with shutout victory

The Crew (12-4-10) remained atop the Eastern Conference and pushed their MLS record home unbeaten streak to 16-0-6 since June 2008. Los Angeles fell to 10-6-1 and suffered its first loss in 13 matches against the East (7-1-5) while playing without Beckham, out because of right ankle inflammation.

After Eddie Gaven scored in the 33rd minute to put the Crew ahead, Lenhart added a key insurance goal in the 59th with the help of newcomer Emilio Renteria.

Crew coach Robert Warzycha showed through his first XI that he's putting great emphasis on Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League home match vs. Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica.

A win moves the Crew into the quarterfinals and renders the final group game at Puerto Rico on Oct. 20 meaningless. The Crew were playing their fifth match in 13 days and the lineup reflected that.

Already minus MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall (left knee sprain) for a third consecutive game, reigning MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto was a reserve as were usual starters forward Alejandro Moreno, wide midfielder Robbie Rogers and defender Gino Padula, who had started all but one match.

Midfielder Kevin Burns had 67 career minutes and made his last of four appearances on July 18 before making his first start. Burns went 55 minutes before Adam Moffat took over in the central midfield. Also, Venezuelan forward Renteria, coming off three minutes against Chicago on Sunday in his MLS debut, started alongside Lenhart.

For the Galaxy, Edson Buddle started after coming on as a substitute in the last match and defender A.J. DeLaGarza replaced Lewis. Former Crew midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi, a member of last season's MLS Cup winner, made his first appearance in Crew Stadium since being traded in the offseason.

Gaven scored with the Galaxy temporarily down a man while Miglioranzi was tended to on the sideline. He had fouled Emmanuel Ekpo before crumbling to the ground with a left groin injury.

Brian Carroll took the ensuing free kick near midfield and found Ekpo at the top of the penalty area on the left side. Ekpo then floated a cross to the far post. Gaven was at a poor angle but managed to head the ball off the left post and in for his sixth goal. Jovan Kirovski substituted for Miglioranzi before the kickoff.

Gaven nearly returned the favor to Ekpo in the 39th but a strong header by Ekpo in front of the goal sailed over the crossbar.

LA's best chance of the opening half came in the 44th when ex-Crew forward Buddle headed a throw-in by Omar Gonzalez straight at Hesmer.

Crew captain Frankie Hejduk received a yellow card in the 28th minute following a midfield collision with Donovan and will miss the Oct. 3 match against Seattle because of caution accumulation.

The Crew scored the vital second goal in the 59th minute. Defender Eric Brunner sent an 80-yard outlet down the left side where Renteria ran onto the ball and headed it into the penalty area. He shielded the ball from Omar Gonzalez then fired on goal where Donovan Ricketts made a mess of the save by leaving the rebound a couple of yards off the line.

Lenhart outraced Gregg Berhalter to the ball and used his left foot to score his third goal.

The Galaxy responded with two prime chances beginning with Eddie Lewis' shot in the 66th that forced William Hesmer to make a stop. In the 68th, Landon Donovan tapped a free kick back to Chris Birchall and his strike from 25 yards hit the left post.

Hesmer made two saves for his sixth shutout.

There were four cautions -- two apiece -- in a 5-minute span starting in the 69th minute and eight yellows evenly distributed. The Galaxy had 23 of the 36 fouls.

The Crew remain home for their next league match, taking on Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Galaxy return home to The Home Depot Center for a game against the Chicago Fire on Friday, Oct. 2, as both the Crew and Galaxy can help the other in facing their closest pursuers in the standings.

Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com

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