Galaxy can’t slow down the Crew
The Columbus Crew extended its MLS-record home unbeaten streak to 24 matches with a 2-0 win over the Galaxy on Saturday night.
Eddie Gaven and Steven Lenhart scored goals for Columbus (12-4-10), which leads the MLS with 46 points. Its unbeaten run at Crew Stadium includes 22 regular-season matches and two in the postseason.
Los Angeles (10-6-11), which squandered a chance to overtake Houston for the Western Conference lead, has 41 points.
The Galaxy played without David Beckham, who did not travel to Columbus with the team and was scratched from the game roster by Coach Bruce Arena on Thursday because of an injured ankle.
In the 33rd minute, Crew midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo sent a 20-yard cross into the penalty area to Gaven, who headed the ball off the left post for his sixth goal.
Lenhart pounced on a rebound surrendered by Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts inside a muddy six-yard box to net his third goal in the 59th minute.
Midfielder Chris Birchall barely missed pulling the Galaxy to within a goal in the 67th minute when his free kick bounced off the post.
The Crew rested 2008 league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto and played without defender Chad Marshall, who was out with a left knee sprain.
