Columbus Crew scored a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake in MLS play on Wednesday night in Ohio.
The Crew fell behind in the seventh minute when RSL's Jamison Olave deflected in a cross at the top of the six-yard box before the Colombian defender turned villain when he brought down Justin Meram in the area in the 74th minute.
Peruvian Andres Mendoz stepped up to the spot and hammered into the top right corner with his left foot, giving RSL keeper Nick Rimando no chance before the Crew grabbed the winner in the 82nd minute through Josh Gardner who tried his luck from about 20 yards and got a fortuitous deflection which wrongfooted Rimando and hit the abck of the net to make it 2-1.
The victory put Columbus up to third on the Eastern Conference table as Real Salt Lake remained fourth in the West.
Columbus Crew: 2 (Andres Mendoza (p) 76', Josh Gardner 82') Real Salt Lake: 1 (Jamison Olave 7') Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH - 9,650
