MLS

• Crew top L.A. to inch closer to Supporters' Shield

  
  

  Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Alejandro Moreno scored his team-leading ninth goal as Columbus extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches with its seventh win during that stretch, 1-0 over Los Angeles on Saturday at Crew Stadium.

  Moreno scored the lone goal in the 43rd minute and Columbus goalie Will Hesmer posted his fourth shutout during the unbeaten run.

  Columbus (16-6-5) moved one step closer to wrapping up the Supporters' Shield, which goes to the team with the best record in Major League Soccer. The Crew have 10 more points than next closest team.

  Los Angeles (7-12-8), which leads MLS with 50 goals, was shutout for the fourth time during its current woeful 15-match stretch. L.A. has just one win during the span and needs to win its last three to have a shot to make the playoffs.

  Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers nearly put his side in front in the 34th minute, but fired into the side netting from 12 yards with L.A. goalie Joe Saunders - who was making his MLS debut - charging off his line.

  Moreno didn't waste the Crew's next opportunity in the 43rd minute, converting a cross from Danny O'Rourke for the game-winner. O'Rourke crossed the ball into the middle of the area and Moreno directed it by Saunders.

  The Galaxy's Landon Donovan, who leads MLS with 19 goals, nearly equalized in the 45th minute but fired wide of the right post.

  David Beckham set up Donovan with a perfect cross early in the second half but the U.S. national team star whiffed from 12 yards to waste the chance.

  The Crew, who are 12-0 when scoring first, slowed L.A. down for the rest of the night and Hesmer made three saves for his ninth shutout of the season. Columbus continued its winning ways without U.S. national team defender Frankie Hejduk and coach Sigi Schmid, who were serving one-game suspensions.

  Guillermo Barros Schelotto returned to the starting lineup for Columbus after missing the last three matches with a hamstring strain. He played the first 60 minutes and looked fit, which was a great sign for the Crew.

  Columbus could wrap up the Eastern Conference regular-season title on Sunday if Chicago ties or losses to Kansas City. The Crew visit Chicago on Oct. 12 with a chance to wrap up the league's best record.

  Los Angeles will try to start an improbable postseason push on Oct. 12 when it hosts Colorado.

  10/04 22:54:47 ET