The Columbus Crew is in such good form right now that even the bad turns out to be good. Take the service from defender Gino Padula that led to the deciding goal by Guillermo Barros Schelotto in the 87th minute of the 2-1 win against Chivas USA on Sunday at Crew Stadium.
Padula, not known for his forays into the final third, was at the left edge of the penalty area when he spotted reserve forward Steven Lenhart in front of goalkeeper Zach Thornton. The ball sailed over Lenhart's head – directly to Schelotto, unmarked to the right of the goal area. He settled the ball and laced it into the net. "I didn't see Guille. To be honest I saw Steve but it was a good goal," Padula said. "It was a good assist for me. I tried to put the ball in the box because there was only two minutes left."
Said Schelotto: "When the ball is coming I say (to Lenhart) 'No touch, no touch,' because I know the ball is coming for me and I have position for the goal." Schelotto, who scored his league-leading 10th goal in 13 matches, has more than half of the Crew's 10 goals. The Crew now have four wins and five ties in their past nine games. They have not lost at home (12-0-5) since June 7, 2008, and are only three points behind first-place D.C. United.