Nagamura Does It Again
Chivas USA's Paulo Nagamura. Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images
Midfielder Paulo Nagamura scored his third goal of the season as Chivas USA defeated Real Salt Lake at the Home Depot Center last night.
The well deserved 1 - 0 victory was the result of an all around good performance by all lines for the red-and-whites. Forward Eduardo Lillingston had one of his best games since joining the club and nearly scored on multiple occasions, including a missed penalty call where Lillingston was clearly held in the box by Real defender Nat Borchers. Fellow forward Justin Braun created problems for the Real backline all night and combining well with midfielder Bojan Stepanovic and defender Mariano Trujillo to generate several opportunities from the right flank. Midfielder Sacha Kljestan added to the strong showing by the L.A. side, putting in one of his best performances since the opener back in March. Not to be outdone, the defense stood solid and 'keeper Zach Thornton made a couple of great saves to keep Real off the score sheet.
Chivas USA's performance allowed them to gradually take control of the pace of the game as the game wore on. After the first 15, momentum was clearly shifting in favor of the red-and-whites, but Real was threatening. Nagamura and fellow midfielder Jesse Marsch were critical in helping contain the Real threat in the midfield. Nagamura in particular had a tough battle with Real midfielder Kyle Beckerman and it wasn't long before they were exchanging words.
As the first half wore on, Chivas USA continued to gain more control of the game. The midfield play by the L.A. side was fluid and they were reaching the offensive third almost at will. Despite their dominance, Chivas USA was unable to score in the opening half and the teams went into the break tied at zero.
Real came out with more energy in the second half and threatened Chivas USA early on. However, Nagamura's goal would help shift momentum once again. Nagamura's goal came at the 54th minute after Beckerman botched a clearance from the box. Kljestan got a head on Beckerman's failed clearance, passing it to a streaking Nagamura at the edge of the box. Nagamura put in a hard blast towards the Real goal. The shot took a slight deflection off of Borchers, but it wasn't enough to keep it from going in.
After the goal, Chivas USA continued to threaten, but Real did not give up. Minutes after Nagamura's goal, Thornton made a couple of great saves to preserve the lead for the home side. Real brought in some reinforcements in the form of forwards Robbie Findley, Andy Williams and Fabian Espindola, but they were largely subdued until the closing minutes. Chivas USA countered with some changes of their own, bringing on forwards Maykel Galindo and Attiba Harris. Chivas USA midfielder Sasha Victorine would also make an appearance, his first of the season after being sidelined with an injury since late last year. The changes provided some options for both teams, but the scoreline remained the same through the final whistle.
The victory improves Chivas USA's record to 7 - 1 - 1, the third best all time start for any MLS team. Ironically, Chivas USA head coach Preki Radosavljevic was a player on the two squads listed first and second on that same list.