Carson, CA (Sports Network) - The Columbus Crew got second-half goals from
Federico Higuain, Josh Williams and Dominic Oduro en route to a 3-0 win over
Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center on Saturday.
Higuain provided a moment of brilliance in the 51st minute in what was an
otherwise cautious affair, while Williams secured the win with a goal in the
88th minute Oduro opened his Columbus account with a goal deep into stoppage
time.
After providing an offensive spark for the Crew over the second half of last
season, Higuain nearly set up the opening goal with a cross that Jairo Arrieta
turned on goal, only for Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to keep it out.
Crew netminder Andy Gruenebaum produced a quality stop on Chivas forward Julio
Morales at point-blank range to keep his side level at halftime.
But the second 45 minutes belonged to the visitors with Higuain scoring the
best goal of the bunch shortly after the interval as he lashed a 25-yard shot
in off the right post.
Juan Agudelo tried to find an equalizer for Chivas in the 84th minute but his
header was off target.
And Columbus put the game away in the final minutes as Eddie Gaven's corner
kick was volleyed home by Williams on the turn before Oduro found the net just
before the final whistle, bringing an end to a dismal start for new Chivas
boss Jose Luis Sanchez Sola.
The Sports Network