After two weeks of getting positive results despite not playing that well, Chivas USA finally paid for playing below the form the Goats showed for most of 2007.

Columbus exposed Chivas USA in a 4-3 shootout that saw Sacha Kljestan red carded and Brad Guzan give up the game-winning goal in messy fashion, leaving Chivas USA fans wondering whether their team will ever match last year’s regular-season success.

SBI Correspondent John Sandate watched the shootout loss and shared his view of Chivas USA’s first loss of the season. Here is his take:

Chivas USA exposed in first loss of the season

By John Sandate

This is somewhat uncharted territory for Chivas USA. Losing 4-3 on the gaffe a star player. The quality of play wasn’t there until the second half. The energy was missing. Communication was better, but not good enough to be considered strength. The most troubling observance from this game was Pancho Mendoza and Sacha Klestchan getting red carded. Both will miss the next game against FC Dallas and further complicate the injury situation of the Goats. We better be ready because Galaxy hosts the Super Clasico on April 26th.  Truth be told this team lacked cohesiveness and discipline.

Perhaps Brad Guzan is human after all. I guess you can debate whether Guzan’s blunder cost Chivas USA the game or at least the one point, but the reality is the Columbus Crew brought “it” and Sigi Schmit proved that he can still coach. It also didn’t hurt that Guillermo Barros Schelotto decided to play and Robbie Rodgers showed why he should have been selected to the USA Olympic squad during qualifying. He looked dangerous all night. Columbus played better from beginning to end. Chivas USA needed to be down 2-1 before they remembered that they were a quality squad. Too bad it was too little, too late.

Despite a 4-3 score, this game was sloppy, physical, and not that entertaining (unless you like acting). Too much flopping and Ricardo Salazar’s ineptitude sucked the energy out of this game. Flopping is common in any league, but Schelotto should get an Academy award for that performance. He is the Crew leader of attack, but you would have never thought that he played at Boca Juniors in historic battles against River Plate and Copa Libertadores. He looked desperate and pathetic on the pitch. Oh well, three points is points. As far as Salazar, what more can I say about the quality of referees in the MLS that hasn’t been said already?

Props to the Columbus Crew for being good enough to beat Chivas USA . They will get better as the season unrolls and they deserved the victory. I’m exhausted watching the back and forth of this game only to see three points dwindle to 1 point, to no points at all. I hope Guzan can clear his mind and not blame himself. His European transfer is coming soon and I’m sure he doesn’t want to be remembered for losing his concentration.