Chivas USA Beats Columbus

The way Ante Razov is going, it would be wise for Chivas USA playmakers to continue feeding him the ball ad nauseam.

At least until he cools off.

Razov scored his Major League Soccer-leading 10th goal of the season to lead Chivas USA to an impressive 2-0 victory over the Columbus Crew at the Home Depot Center on Sunday night.

“That first 30 minutes was probably the best soccer we’ve played all season,” said Razov, who nearly scored in the 10th minute on a blind back-heel shot and in the 14th minute on a left-footed volley that hit the left post. “We could have had four or five goals in the first half.”

Razov’s goal came in the fifth minute, less than a minute after Juan Pablo Garcia nearly scored for Chivas USA (5-5-1).

Juan Francisco “Paco” Palencia took control on the left wing when he dribbled away from the goal and launched a right-footed cross to the far post. Razov settled under it and rose above Columbus defender Ritchie Kotschau to head it past goalkeeper Noah Palmer for a 1-0 lead.

Razov, who has scored in four consecutive games, became the first player in MLS history to record six seasons of at least 10 goals or more. D.C. United’s Jaime Moreno, who has eight this season, will match Razov if he reaches 10 this year.

“He and Paco have really formed a good partnership,” Chivas Coach Bob Bradley said.

Chivas put the game away in the 85th minute when Garcia took a pass in the middle from Francisco Mendoza and dribbled to open space before sending a right-footed shot into the lower right corner. Despite the time between goals, Bradley said, he was pleased with how his team handled the Crew (4-6-2).

“That’s part of the game,” Bradley said. “You’re playing well, you have a one-goal lead, and you want to see that second goal. And yet it’s just as important that when you don’t get it that you’re smart and that you know how to stay disciplined and that you don’t allow the other team to get back into the game.”