Crew Spoils Fun for Chivas USA
Francisco Palencia and Juan Pablo Garcia, making their home debuts for Chivas USA, were greeted warmly by the Home Depot Center crowd during introductions.
Unfortunately for Chivas USA, the Columbus Crew did not extend the same greetings for the pair, handing the L.A. team a 3-0 loss Saturday to all but eliminate the expansion franchise’s slim playoff hopes.
With six games left in Chivas USA’s inaugural season, the team will be mathematically eliminated with its next loss or a tie or win by the Colorado Rapids.
Palencia had three shots, one on goal, and Garcia had no shots for Chivas USA, which was handed its 10th shutout of the season.
“I really don’t know what we have to do,” Garcia said. “We’ve worked really hard. I don’t know what it is, but we haven’t been able to win.”
An announced crowd of 15,770, the largest since a May game against the Galaxy, was on hand to watch the home debut of Chivas USA’s reinforcements.
Instead, it was Crew forwards Cornell Glen and John Wolyniec who had a more profound effect on the game.
In the 24th minute, Chivas USA midfielder Ramon Ramirez attempted to pass to defender Ezra Hendrickson, but it was intercepted by Glen.
“I think I made a mistake,” Ramirez said through an interpreter. “I tried to pass it to Ezra and Glen anticipated the play.”
The shot dribbled through the legs of Chivas USA goalie Sergio Garcia. As Glen, who was acquired from FC Dallas in April, jumped over the goalkeeper, his chip shot slowly trickled into the goal.
Garcia, who was added to the team along with Palencia and Juan Pablo Garcia last month, made his MLS debut with the area to the left of his first-half goal littered with red and white confetti.
Chivas USA Coach Hans Westerhof called the loss the most disappointing of the season, but said he would stick with the goalie for at least the next two games.
In the second half, Glen sent a centering pass to Wolyniec, whose 12-yard attempt landed in the left corner of the goal.
The two combined to score again in the 68th minute, when Glen’s shot was deflected by the Chivas USA goalkeeper and Wolyniec followed the attempt with his second goal.
After the game, forward Marcus Storey joked with Glen that he was finally passing, instead of shooting.
“Yeah,” Glen replied. “But I tried to shoot the second one.”
Chivas USA, which led in its two previous games on the road but settled for ties, nearly got even before the first half concluded.
Antonio Martinez and Palencia both had shots in the 37th minute.
Martinez’s line drive landed in the arms of Crew goalkeeper Jonny Walker and Palencia’s shot sailed wide left.
