Columbus walks away feeling tired after tie with Chivas USA
By Giles Kennedy

Crew Midfielder Jose Retiz gave the Black and Gold faithful his first MLS goal in the 12th minute of play.

“I had a bigger stance (drilling a 30 yard attempt), but it got deflected,” Retiz stated, “It was a great thing that it went in.”

The Columbus Crew (4-6-1) did come to play and win. However, it wasn’t meant to be as Chivas (5-5-3) would score the tying goal (1-1) in the 54th minute.

The extremely solid defense from both clubs was a factor. Add to the yellow cards flying like the planes over Crew Stadium. But it was the yellow card in the second half given to Columbus that would deny them of a victory.

Chivas USA’s swift forward Juan Pablo Garcia took advantage of the free kick in the 54th minute, smacking in a goal bender of a goal for the Mexican-American pro team from Los Angeles.

This proved to be a strenuous match between two Western Conference peers.

“We gave away a goal we shouldn't have,” Columbus Head Coach Sigi Schmid relented, “ I thought we had some good opportunities. (Chivas) pushed up with a extra player. I thought we fatigued a little bit. I wasn’t displeased with the way we played today. I am just angry that we have given away four points in the last two games.”

Although Chivas USA came up with the second half goal, Head Coach Bob Bradley felt the game could have been better.

“First half, we were flat,” Bradley replied about overall play, “ We were able to pull it together better in the second half.”

Goalkepping by both clubs proved also to be stingy, even though Columbus let through a soft goal.

“I think we did everything right,” Crew Goalie Noah Palmer commented, “ I thought we played pretty well today. It was frustrating, we wanted to win today. The tie wasn’t really fulfilling.”

Palmer held off the last major attempt by Chivas’ midfielder Francisco Mendoza in the 79th minute.  But, it was Columbus’ striker Kei Kamara attempt at the 77th minute that summed things up.He over kicked the ball over the goal and into the stands.

Columbus presses onto New York Wednesday June 28th and Houston on Independence Day.

The Crew return home on July 15th to face Freddie Adu and the dreaded DC United.