Andres Mendoza scored twice to move into second place in the Major League Soccer goals race with 13, and the Columbus Crew kept their Eastern Conference playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday night.
Mendoza, a 33-year old Peruvian striker, opened the scoring for Columbus (13-12-8) in the 31st minute, taking a high-bouncing header of a pass from Emilio Renteria and rifling a left-footed blast past goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth. Mendoza struck again in the 63rd minute, one-timing a left-footed shot after receiving a well-struck cross off the right wing by Renteria. Dilly Duka scored in the 59th minute for Columbus.
Columbus extended its unbeaten streak over New England to six matches (4-0-2), winning for just the second time in its last eight games (2-5-1).
New England (5-16-12) finished its home season with its fewest wins ever at 4-7-6 and will finish the season with the fewest wins in club history, the 2001 team having seven wins. The loss was the fifth straight for the Revolution, 1-7-5 in their last 13 outings, and their 10th shutout loss.
