Own goal snaps Columbus streak

Guillermo Barros Schelotto had an assist, but it wasn't enough. Columbus lost to Chivas USA 2-1.

It took a goal by Eddie Gaven for goalkeeper Well Hesmer to lose in his first game between the posts for the Columbus Crew on Saturday to Chivas USA 2-1 in Carson, Calif.

The Crew (5-5-7) looked to head into the all-star break on a seven-game, unbeaten streak, but Chivas USA (7-5-3) had been dominant at its home stadium, The Home Depot Center, with a record of 6-0-1. Ante Razov gave Chivas the lead in the 19th minute on his fifth goal of the season.

It didn't take long for Columbus to respond with a goal from Stefani Miglioranzi in the 23rd minute. Miglioranzi scored off an excellent pass from Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

It seemed like it was going to be a heavy-scoring match but the game fell into a holding pattern.

During the 69th minute, Gaven pushed a Francisco Mendoza pass into his own net to give Chivas the lead 2-1. Gaven and the rest of the Crew had several opportunities to tie the match late, but Columbus fell short.

"I believe that Columbus is a very underrated team," said Chivas USA coach Preki to the Sportsticker. "As you might know, they have done very well in their last five, six games and haven't lost once and are playing very good."

Columbus will now have a few days off for the MLS All-Star game in Commerce City, Colo., where the MLS All-Stars will take on Celtic FC of the English Premier League.

The Crew will be back in action July 22 with a home game against Toronto FC before a friendly match with Aston Villa FC of the English Premier League July 28. The Crew heads into the break in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, two points behind the New York Red Bulls.

With the loss, Columbus continues to be one of the worst teams in the league on the road at 1-4-3. The Crew will have to improve on that record if they want to make the play offs with eight games on the road following the All-Star Game.

Jeff Symonds can be reached at symonds.6@osu.edu.