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Chivas USA midfielder Paulo Nagamura stole the show last night as the red-and-whites opened their 2009 MLS campaign in front of 16,453 of its supporters.
The perfectly manicured pitch at the Home Depot Center served as a great compliment to a night whose weather was equally perfect for a soccer match. Chivas USA and the visiting Colorado Rapids did not disappoint.
The visitors took the game to the red-and-whites from early on as Chivas USA struggled to get a foothold in the game, generating only a handful of opportunities, but with little threat to the Colorado goal. On the other side, Conor Casey, Omar Cummings and Colin Clark combined well for the visitors. The trio helped create several chances for the Rapids in the first 20 minutes, including a chance that resulted in a shot bouncing off the right post at the 12th minute.
As the first half wore on, Colorado continued to pressure the red-and-white defense. At the 30th minute, Chivas USA 'keeper Zach Thorton stopped a shot coming into him from his left. Thorton was unable to handle it well, and gave up a rebound directly in front of his goal. Cummings pounced on it, putting the locals down by a goal.
Chivas USA responded well and the game began to see more end to end action for the remaining minutes of the first half, but the score remained the same as the teams went into the locker rooms.
Oft-injured Chivas USA forward Maykel Galindo made his return to the lineup after the break, replacing Eduardo Lillingston who had made his debut with the red-and-whites by joining the starting lineup. His presence helped open the game and Chivas USA began to dominate on the offensive side. Afterwards, Galindo was quick to remark on how he felt it wasn't so much his presence that made that happen, but moreso the change in the team's attitude towards the match. Galindo further commented -- with a sense of relief in his voice -- how great it was to once again be on the pitch.
Despite his modesty, his presence was a key factor to the Chivas USA offense. The space he helped create allowed the red-and-whites to gain greater control of the flow and they began to buzz around the Colorado goal with more frequency.
Eventually, Chivas USA midfielder Paulo Nagamura would get a great chance at the goal from the top of the box. He took full advantage, putting it into the back of the net and tying the score at the 55th minute. Nagamura, a defensive midfielder, would be back only minutes later to wrap up his first ever brace, giving the home side the lead at the 59th minute.
Colorado fought back, bringing on fresh legs on the offensive side, but except for a couple of late half scrambles in front of the Chivas USA goal, the Chivas USA defense held firm for a final score of 2 - 1.
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with a fit Galindo, chivas will go far!
thanks for all the chivas love here on laist. we all know theres only one good team in LA
Galindo seemed excited and relieved about being back on the field. He was really frustrated at how the the season played out for him last year.
Chivas really needs Kennedy back though. Thorton makes a few too many clumsy mistakes. Fortunately this time around, they didn't prove as costly.