Antonio Martinez scored in his first game for Los Angeles since arriving via a multi-player trade from Dallas. The 26-year-old, who was born in Carson, Calif., celebrated his homecoming by chipping Crew keeper Tom Presthus just before halftime in the Galaxy's 2-1 win.
Alexi Lalas scored on a header from a Simon Elliott free kick before Columbus notched a late goal through Brian Maisonneuve.
Columbus has now gone four games without a win.
The game, which drew a crowd of 21,806 at the Home Depot Center, is the last MLS match before the All-Star Break. On Saturday, the MLS All-Stars take on Chivas of Guadalajara at the Home Depot Center (3:30 pm ET/12:30 PT, live on ABC Sports).
July 30 in Carson, Calif.
LOS ANGELES (4-6-7, 19 pts.) 2 COLUMBUS (5-7-5, 20 pts) 1.
Goals: Martinez (Jones) 44, Lalas (Elliott) 52; Maisonneuve (Hejduk, Cunningham 4) 79.
LOS ANGELES — Hartman, Lalas, Hong, Califf, Albright, Jones (Cienfuegos 83), Martinez (Moreno, 59), Vagenas, Elliott (Marshall, 77), Victorine, Ruiz.
COLUMBUS — Presthus, Hejduk, Clark, Dunseth, McCarty, Denton, Maisonneuve, Martino (Buddle, 56), Matteo (Walsh, 66), Cunningham, Oughton (Ritch, 87).
Yellow cards: Los Angeles — Ruiz 11; Columbus — Hejduk 11, Dunseth 20, Oughton 47+, Clark 57.
Referee: Noel Kenny.
Att.: 21,806