Columbus 3 - 0 Real Salt Lake

Schelotto stars as Crew rout Real Salt Lake

Updated: August 24, 2008, 4:42 AM UK

Schelotto scored a goal and set up two others, leading the Columbus Crew to a 3-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Brad Evans scored for the second time in as many matches and Chad Marshall also tallied for Columbus (11-6-4), which moved into a tie with New England (11-6-4) for first place in the Eastern Conference with 37 points. New England tied Toronto FC on Saturday.

"I think the team playing very good," Schelotto said. "To win and be in first place is nice."

Schelotto and company had Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis fuming afterwards.

"This is just another game that defensively I didn't think we were quite there" Kreis said.

Will Hesmer stopped two shots for the Crew, who snapped a three-game winless streak. Nick Rimando also made two saves for Real Salt Lake (7-8-6).

"Obviously we are happy to get the shutout, that was important," Columbus coach Sigi Schmid said. "We scored two goals on set pieces, but those pieces were set up because we were getting behind their defense which is something we tried to concentrate on this week in practice."

Columbus was in control right from the start thanks to Schelotto.

In the 15th minute, Schelotto drew a free kick from the left corner and found Marshall, who knocked a header past Rimando into the right side of the net.

"That is the way we practice because Chad is very good at that," Schelotto said.

Ten minutes later, Schelotto sent a through ball to Eddie Gaven, who was awarded a penalty kick after being pulled down in the box by Nat Borcher. Schelotto stepped up and hesitated before drilling a low liner into the left side for a 2-0 lead.

Evans put the game out of reach in the 55th minute. To no one's surprise, Schelotto was in the middle of the action yet again.

Schelotto gathered the ball on the right side and passed to Gaven, who centered the ball to Evans. From the box, he sent a header into the left side of the net.

"I thought the third goal was as well as played a goal as you could get," Schmid said. "I thought the ball by Guillermo down to Eddie but it was Eddie making a run to get behind and his ball was right on the money to Evans who made a late run in the box for the header."

Real Salt Lake had 12 shots and 10 corner kicks but was unable to create any real scoring opportunities.

"They beat us today, they got the chances and won the game," Rimando said.