Garcia Helps Chivas to a Tie

Juan Pablo Garcia scored his fifth goal of the season for Chivas USA, matching an early goal from the Columbus Crew’s Jose Retiz in a 1-1 tie Saturday night.

Garcia’s goal came on a free kick in the 54th minute and extended the Crew’s winless streak to four games. Columbus is 0-2-2 in that stretch, and 4-6-4 overall. Chivas is 5-5-3, and has lost only once in its last seven games.

Retiz’s 12th-minute shot from 30 yards deflected hard off Chivas defender Jason Hernandez, sending the ball spinning high over the head of Chivas goalkeeper Preston Burpo.

Chivas USA’s Sacha Kljestan was shown a yellow card in the 26th minute, the first of five players booked in the first half. The Crew’s Marcos Gonzalez and Ritchie Kotschau and Chivas players Ante Razov and Tim Regan were the others.

Garcia’s goal came when he floated a free kick from the left of the Crew penalty area that nestled into the upper-right corner of the goal.

“He’s a dangerous attacking player. I think he does things in bunches a little bit,” Chivas Coach Bob Bradley said. “He’s a player who plays games with a lot of passion, a lot of emotion, and I think that’s all been working in our favor.”

Chivas midfielder Francisco Mendoza nearly scored from close range in the 79th minute, but his shot was turned over the crossbar by Columbus goalkeeper Noah Palmer.