GOATS RESILIENT IN BEATING CREW MLS: PATCHWORK LINEUP KEEPS CHIVAS UNBEATEN IN LEAGUE. CHIVAS USA 2, COLUMBUS 1.

Byline: Phil Collin, Staff Writer

CARSON - Apparently, last year's parade through the medical offices didn't amount to a total disaster for Chivas USA.

Sure, it had plenty to do with a first-round flameout in the Major League Soccer playoffs, but it also built up some pretty resilient scar tissue.

Again, Chivas is struggling through injuries. In 2009, however, it hurts more to lose.

Chivas remained perfect through three games after a 2-1 win over defending MLS champion Columbus at Home Depot Center on Sunday, getting another deciding goal from newcomer Eduardo Lillingston and more strong play from 20-year-old Gerson Mayen.

"The group is a tough group," Chivas coach Preki said. "We haven't played, I would say, as well as we are capable of playing, but we have a group of guys in the locker room who believe in each other and will work for each other, and when you have that sometimes that gives you success. I won't say sometimes - pretty much a lot of the times."

Lillingston's goal in the 50th minute broke a 1-1 tie and Chivas, helped by the expulsion of Crew defender Andy Iro in the 54th minute, held on.

Forwards Ante Razov, Justin Braun, Alecko Eskandarian and Maykel Galindo were not available, so Liullingston started up front with Atiba Harris. Harris, after a nifty set-up from Mayen, scored the first goal.

"We don't put too much focus on who's not available," midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "We put more focus on who's in the lineup that given day. That's what the team is about. We've learned how to deal with this for a while."

And without defenders Ante Jazic, Claudio Suarez, Bobby Burling and Lawson Vaughn, Chivas put a pretty good hold on two superior forwards - 2008 league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno, who were limited to one shot apiece.

It was a far different world for the Crew (0-2-2), whose last visit to this stadium resulted in its MLS Cup championship victory. Instead of thousands of fans ringing the venue, about a half-dozen gold-and-black supporters sat quietly in their corner of the stands.

What Chivas has been able to accomplish this season is to keep its core intact with Marsch and fellow veterans Sacha Kljestan and Paulo Nagamura in the midfield and Shavar Thomas, Jim Curtin, Jonathan Bornstein and Carey Talley on the back line.

"There's an older, experienced group of guys," Marsch said. "We know when to help so when Gerson comes in the lineup, everybody knows how to help him out a little bit and make it simple for him so that he can do the things he's good at and be successful."

Mayen, making his first start in front of about 40 family members and friends, got Chivas going by taking a pass from Bornstein, then making two moves to free himself from Columbus midfielder Eddie Gaven. Mayen then slipped a crossing pass through that Harris knocked in for a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute.

Mayen, born and raised in Los Angeles, admitted to being nervous. But he had plenty of support from those around him.

"I try to go to them and they got to me also and they tell me what I'm doing wrong," he said. "Everyone on the team tries to help me out a lot they tell me not to play with nervousness and I try to do that."

The Crew (0-2-2) tied the score 12 minutes later when Emmanuel Ekpo's pass into the box befuddled Chivas defenders and Iro put it into the net.

Lillingston's goal was much the same on the other end. Talley took a free kick that Thomas headed off the goal post. The rebound found Lillingston's foot after a scramble.

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