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Roberts, Martino propel Galaxy to victory

Oct 1, 2007 - 1:02 AM By Dave Holstein PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) - Troy Roberts scored his first career MLS goal in the 13th minute and former Columbus Crew member Kyle Martino scored against his former team three minutes later, leading the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 2-1 win over the Crew on Sunday.

After Columbus opened the scoring with an early goal in the second minute by Alejandro Moreno, Roberts scored in the 13th minute after a service into the box by Landon Donovan was bounced around and not cleared by the Crew. The ball came to Roberts and he got just enough of the ball to beat Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer.

Martino scored three minutes later when, once again, Columbus failed to clear a ball out of the box. Donovan served the ball into the box and it came to Martino at the top of the box, setting him up nicely for a strike that beat a diving Hesmer just inside the right post.

Martino was traded to the LA Galaxy in May of 2006.

"It came at a good time for us," Roberts said about his goal. "We really needed to get something going. It felt good to get that goal; it tied it up and got us back in the game."

Martino seemed to enjoy the win more than scoring against his former team.

"It's always fun to come back, play your old team and at your old stadium, but pretty much to get out of here with three points when we desperately need points is what is making me and everybody else happy right now," Martino said.

Columbus entered the game trailing the Chicago Fire (8-10-9) by two points for the eighth and final playoff spot in the MLS. Chicago has tied its last four games - opening the door for Columbus.

The Crew, however, have not been able to take advantage going 1-5-2 in their last eight games.

Columbus coach Sigi Schmid did not sound overly confident when asked if the Crew still have a realistic shot at the playoffs.

"I don't know," Schmid said. "There are a lot of somber faces in the locker room right now. The guys are depressed and there are a lot of hung heads in the locker room. This was a big game and time is running out for us. We had our chances to win the game but, at the end of the day, we just didn't get the job done."

Los Angeles (7-13-6) moved within four points behind Columbus (7-10-10) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.