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Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan put in a stellar performance versus Toronto FC last night at the Home Depot Center. Photo by Juan Miranda/Chivas USA
Chivas USA Head Coach Preki Radosavljevic was all smiles at last night's post-game press conference and for good reason. Midfielder Sacha Kljestan put in his best game of the year, scoring two goals on the night and leading Chivas USA to a 2 - 0 victory over the visiting Toronto FC. When asked about Kljestan's performance, Preki stated "I think it (is) a good sign. I thought he had a really good game. I thought he worked hard defensively too and we hope he just keep going."
The goals were Kljestan's first on the year and they couldn't have come at a better time for the red-and-whites.
Kljestan, however, was but one of the various positives on the night. The red-and-whites controlled much of the pace throughout the game and newcomer Maicon Santos figured heavily. Santos was making his first MLS start and registered his first shot on goal at the 15th minute when he nearly scored on a header from close range. At the 32nd minute, a rebound from his header would lead to Kljestan's first goal, giving Chivas USA the 1 - 0 lead before the break.
In between, the red-and-white defense kept the Toronto offense in check with some great work from midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, defender Mariano Trujillo and the rest of the back four. Preki would later commend the defense and team as a whole, adding that "it reminds me of the team of old days," a reference to the squad that seemed invincible in the early part of the campaign.
As the first half wound down, Toronto found itself pinned in its own half and Chivas USA appeared to be nearing its second goal. Maykel Galindo had the best chance when he found himself at the end of a Kljestan pass in the penalty box while completely unmarked. Galindo paused to pick his spot, but his aim was off and his shot hit the side netting.
The second half saw the red-and-whites continue their dominance over the Reds. Only a few minutes after the restart, the other newcomer -- Jesus Padilla -- showed some flashes of what the Chivas USA faithful should expect from him. Picking up a ball near center circle, Padilla fought off two challenges to gain control then charged down the wing about 30 yards. He then sent a very dangerous cross, after fighting off yet another challenge, but Chivas USA was unable to capitalize.
Santos would do him one better only 2 minutes later. Moving down the left side with Kljestan in support down the wing, Santos would thread a beautiful pass between two Toronto defenders. It was perfectly weighed and caught Kljestan in stride just as he got behind the Reds defense and into the penalty box. Kljestan did the rest with a great finish to the far right corner to give the red-and-whites the 2 - 0 lead.
The Canadian side managed a few moments of offensive pressure on Chivas USA, but spent most of the second half trying to contain Kljestan and Santos. The latter nearly scoring on two additional chances before coming out of the match due to cramping.
Paulo Nagamura, Eduardo Lillingston and Bojan Stepanovic would enter as subs in the final 25 of the match and helped generate additional opportunities. Nagamura nearly scored on a corner kick immediately after he entered and in the dying minutes had another great opportunity but was denied by Toronto 'keeper Stefan Frei.
The game would end 2 - 0 in favor of Chivas USA, moving them into third place on the Western Conference standings and only two points behind the Galaxy ahead of next Saturday's SuperClasico.
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