Warzycha Leads Crew Over L.A.

Robert Warzycha scored in the fifth and 56th minutes as the Columbus Crew beat the Galaxy, 2-0, in front of 16,167 in a Major League Soccer game Saturday at Columbus, Ohio.

Warzycha opened the scoring off assists by Doctor Khumalo and Mike Lapper. Lapper passed to Khumalo, who dribbled around two defenders and sent a soft pass into the box for Warzycha. From 12 yards out, Warzycha hit a hard left-footed shot to the inside post past goalkeeper Jorge Campos.

Warzycha made it 2-0 with a half-volley shot from 20 yards out.

Crew goalkeeper Brad Friedel recorded his league-leading sixth shutout of the year and his fourth in five home games. The Crew have allowed a league-low 34 goals this year and only one goal in their last five home games.

The Galaxy’s best scoring attempt came on a breakaway by Cobi Jones in the opening minutes of the game that Friedel deflected past the right post.

The Galaxy played without leading scorer Welton, sidelined by an ankle sprain, and midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, out with bruised ribs.

The Crew played without U.S. national team striker Brian McBride, who will miss the rest of the season because of an ankle injury.

Columbus (12-14) has 32 points and trails second-place Tampa Bay by four points in the Eastern Conference.

The Galaxy (10-15), with 26 points, is fourth in the Western Conference, four points behind Dallas, but just two points ahead of fifth-place San Jose Clash in a fight for the final playoff spot in the West.

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Colombian star Carlos Valderrama had an MLS-record four assists as the Tampa Bay Mutiny routed the New England Revolution, 4-0, in front of an announced 9,253 at Tampa, Fla.

Valderrama helped Tampa Bay (15-11) open the scoring in the 39th minute with a pass to Steve Ralston, who moved the ball to Martin Vasquez for an open 15-yard shot. Valderrama and Ralston also teamed to set up Roy Lassiter’s goal in the 64th minute.