After twice having leads answered by Chivas USA, the Columbus Crew got a game-winner from Robbie Rogers in the 82nd minute that Chivas didn't have a response for, claiming a 4-3 victory in what was easily the most exciting game thus far in the young MLS season.
"It was an exciting game," said Crew coach Sigi Schmid after the match. "I don't think anybody can say they didn't get their money's worth here."
Added Rogers, who garnered man of the match honors with two goals: "It was a crazy game. We were a little bit fortunate, especially with that last goal because Brad [Guzan] is a good 'keeper, but we'll take three points at home. I'm happy with it."
Guillermo Barros Schelotto opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 26th minute when Chivas defender Jim Curtin dragged down Alejandro Moreno in the box.
"I wanted to make sure that I scored, and rather than get cute with it and go either way I just struck it hard and the goalkeeper went the other way," said Schelotto of his first goal of the season.
Chivas answered with a blast from Kljestan minutes later that curled around the Crew defense and past Will Hesmer high inside the goalkeeper's left-hand post.
"They scored a great first goal," said Schmid, who had a perfect view of the goal from his spot on the Crew bench. "Sacha Kljestan's strike was absolutely grand."
"Those balls are tricky, they move so much," said Hesmer after the game, almost in defense of both 'keepers. "I don't think that's been talked about this year -- the flight of those balls, they almost jump. I think they got Brad [Guzan] a couple of times too."
Moreno put the Crew back into the lead just two minutes after Kljestan's goal. Then when Rogers netted his first goal of the season with 19 minutes left, the Black and Gold had every reason to think they had put the game away, after dominating much of the second half. But Chivas went on their own offensive onslaught and almost walked away with a point.
"After we went up 3-1, there was those 10 minutes that I was displeased with, but everything else was OK," said Schmid.
Goals from Jesse Marsch and another quality long-range strike from Paulo Nagamura pulled Chivas level by the 78th minute. But then Rogers brought down a long ball from defender Danny O'Rourke and hammered a low drive from outside the box that sailed through Guzan's hands.
"I always look for that ball first," said O'Rourke, who earned an assist for his 60-yard pass that found Rogers behind Chivas substitute Eric Ebert. "The quicker we can get it out to Robbie the better we are, but all credit to him -- he finished it well."
The final 10 minutes of the game also saw two Chivas players sent off. Francisco Mendoza was shown a second yellow card and then Kljestan received a straight red card for a hard tackle, ensuring that Chivas would not have the manpower needed to equalize.
Almost overlooked in the excitement of the game was the debut of Gino Padula, the Argentinean defender recently signed by the Crew who started the game and played all 90 minutes at left back.
"I think when we start to play more together we will have more confidence," said Padula of the performance of the defense. "Today they scored two goals from outside the box, so I think we looked solid today."
"I think you can see he is pretty comfortable on the ball, he doesn't panic," said Schmid of Padula's debut. "He got through all 90 minutes as well and he'll get better, but I thought he was pretty good today."
In 2007 it took the Crew 12 games to accrue two home wins, but in 2008 the squad has found themselves 2-0 in Crew Stadium, much to the delight of both their fans and their coach.
"Anytime you win it is a morale booster, no matter how you do it. You could say maybe we were a little bit lucky but I'll take luck as well," Schmid said. "Luck builds confidence also."
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
