Those at Crew Stadium on Saturday evening were not cheated. They got a thrilling match with six goals, but they couldn't get themselves a winner as the Columbus Crew and Chivas USA played to a 3-3 draw. Andres Mendoza scored twice for the home side and Columbus came from behind three different times to earn their point. Now the Crew sit on 14 points this season, good for fourth in the Eastern Conference, while Chivas is on 13 points, seventh in the Western Conference.
Columbus Crew Vs. Chivas USA: Goats And Crew Play To Thrilling 3-3 Draw
The match started quickly with a nice passing by Chivas USA, ending with Justin Braun getting a cross at the far post and playing it back to Nick LaBrocca to finish in a wide open goal. It was a fitting, pretty goal to start what would be an entertaining match.
Mendoza equalized for the Crew, although most of the work was done by Emmanuel Ekpo. The Nigerian drove down the center of the pitch, right by all of the Chivas defenders before laying it off for Mendoza on the left. Mendoza struck the ball well with his first touch and Columbus was level.
They weren't level for long though. Chivas earned a corner kick, which Heath Pearce took and took well. It was right to Andrew Boyens head and Boyens had no issue snapping it down for the go-ahead goal.
Chivas took their 2-1 lead into halftime, but didn't have it for long in the second 45 minutes and it was all their own fault. Simon Elliot's horrendous pass to nobody in particular played Mendoza in and left Dan Kennedy stranded. The Chivas keeper had no chance as Mendoza slotted it past him for the Crew's second equalizer.
It took only minutes for the Goats to go back on top though. Jorge Flores got played in on the left and he struck the ball well towards the far post. it looked as if Will Hesmer had done well to get off his line and get to the ball, but his hand wasn't strong enough as the shot went off his hand and in for the Chivas goal.
The home fans still had a third and final equalizer to see though. After a few chances at goal, Chivas got the ball 40 yards from goal, but it was booted back into the box. Ekpo was able to bring it down at the edge of the six-yard box and while the Goats defenders watched, Ekpo turned his defender and fired for the sixth and final goal of the match to split the points.
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