COLUMBUS, Ohio — Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored on an early penalty and set up Steven Lenhart’s late goal to give Columbus a 3-1 win over the Rapids on Saturday night.
Jason Garey scored in the 53rd minute after Colorado’s Pablo Mastroeni tied it in stoppage time of the first half.
Barros Schelotto scored in the sixth minute after goalkeeper Matt Pickens’ foul on Eddie Gaven. In the 80th, his free kick found Chad Marshall by the far post, and he headed the ball in front for another header by Lenhart.
Schelotto’s PK was just the Crew’s second goal in the opening 15 minutes this season. Adam Moffat took a turnover in the final third and found Emmanuel Ekpo near the arc, where Ekpo then slotted the ball to Gaven on the right side of the penalty area.
Although his first touch sent the ball too far ahead, Pickens nonetheless made contact with a sliding tackle, and referee Edvin Jurisevic did not hesitate in awarding the penalty kick.
Mastroeni and Mehdi Ballouchy shredded the Crew defense for the Rapids’ only goal. A nice buildup resulted in a give-and-go with Ballouchy deftly flicking an the ball to Mastroeni.
He glided to within 13 yards of goal, then craftily beat William Hesmer for his second goal of the season to silence the crowd and send the Rapids into the locker room on high note.
It also punctuated a special night for Mastroeni, who tied Chris Henderson for the most starts in franchise history with 170. Mastroeni moved past Henderson into the minutes played lead last week.
Colorado 1 0 — 1
Columbus 1 2 — 3
First half — 1, Columbus, Barros Schelotto 6 (penalty kick), 6th minute. 2, Colorado, Mastroeni 2 (Ballouchy), 45th+.
Second half — 3, Columbus, Garey 2, 53rd. 4, Columbus, Lenhart 5 (Marshall, Barros Schelotto), 80th.
Goalies — Colorado, Matt Pickens; Columbus, William Hesmer. Yellow cards — Hejduk, Columbus, 22nd; Moffat, Columbus, 75th; Hesmer, Columbus, 90th+.
Referee — Edvin Jurisevic. Assistant Referees—Jason Cullum. Adam Garner. 4th Official—HIlario Grajeda.
