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Moffat, Rogers send Crew to fourth straight win

May 4, 2008 - 3:14 AM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Thanks to their strong play at home, the Columbus Crew are off to their best start in 10 years.

Adam Moffat and Robbie Rogers each scored first-half goals, leading the Crew to a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday.

A 5-5-5 mark at home in 2007 contributed to Columbus' inability to participate in the playoffs for the third straight season.

However, a 4-0-0 record in this campaign at Columbus Crew Stadium has the Crew (5-1-0) off to their best start and atop the Eastern Conference standings for the first time since they last enjoyed the postseason in 2004.

"We only have one less win at home than we had all last year," Crew coach Sigi Schmid said. "Obviously, it was a goal we set for ourselves as a team to be better at home. We have become a difficult team to play at home, which is good. Our guys are playing with a lot of confidence right now."

On a set piece from the right side in the fourth minute, Moffat received a header from Chad Marshall and headed the ball off the right post and past Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.

"It was a great header by Chad off a great service from Schelotto," Moffat said. "It just came to me and I was able to get up and get my head on it and put it in."

Rogers recorded his third tally of the campaign courtesy of a midfield turnover by Kansas City. Alejandro Moreno intercepted an inbounds pass and used a bicycle kick to pass the ball ahead to Rogers.

Shortly after receiving the pass, the 20-year-old midfielder used a left-footed shot to avoid Hartman, who had come out to confront Rogers. Hartman attempted a sliding save but missed as the ball slowly rolled the final 20 feet into the net.

"There seemed to be some miscommunication by them," Rogers said. "I was making a run and was just able to get my foot on it before they collided and it went in."

Claudio Lopez converted a penalty kick in the 79th minute to halve the deficit at 2-1, but Kansas City was unable to net the equalizer.

"Claudio works hard all of the time," Kansas City captain Jimmy Conrad said. "He stepped in and was smooth and made a nice shot to get us back into the game, but unfortunately we were unable to get another goal to tie it."

William Hesmer recorded four saves for Columbus - which has won four straight for the first time since September 4-25, 2004.

Hartman turned away three shots for the Wizards (3-3-1).