Half Time: Columbus Crew at Chivas USA
If Chivas USA hangs on to win this game for a third successive victory despite their crippling litany of injuries, Preki and his players will point to a two minute first half outburst as the difference that saw them score two unanswered goals and a frustrated Danny O'Rourke given a straight red.
The first came in the 20th minute, when O'Rourke failed to head clear a Cary Tally cross, Frankie Hejduk managed to flick up the errant ball with his heels and Jorge "Sueno" Flores met the ball with a snapping left-footed volley from 12 yards for his third MLS goal in three games.
A minute later and Chivas USA was up by two.
This time Justin Braun worked his way down the right hand side, beating a Crew defender and delivering a cross Jesse Marsch smashed home from 12 yards.
O'Rourke was given a red card just seconds after the restart, flying in on an unnecessary midfield tackle against Atiba Harris with his studs indecently high. Harris required treatment and left the field, but did return.
A 36th minute blast from Brad Evans was the Crew's best chance, although Guzan had it well covered.
Chivas ended the half with an 8-2 shot advantage.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
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