Late Goal Dooms Chivas USA
Chivas USA defender Carlos Borja (L), battles against Real Salt Lake's Pablo Campos last night at the Home Depot Center. (cdchivasusa.com)
For a second week in a row, a late game goal costs Chivas USA a match. Last night it was 2 - 1 loss against the reigning MLS champs Real Salt Lake.
It was a tough one to swallow for the red-and-white and Head Coach Martin Vasquez did not shy away from showing his disappointment and displeasure at the result, stating:
"Right now I am bothered. I am disappointed by the result and for having given away the game. We really should have learned our lesson from last week's match and unfortunately we let valuable points get away at home. That disappoints me." Vasquez attributed the loss to a lack of focus and inability to remain concentrated on the task at hand.
Coincidentally, after Wednesday's practice, Vasquez commented on the importance of not losing focus and needing to concentrate for the entire match, considering it a key to victory going into Saturday's match. As it turned out, it was once again the team's Achilles heel and by the looks of the long faces in the locker room, Vasquez wasn't the only one that was disappointed.
In the dying seconds of a lackluster first half, Real midfielder Javier Morales was able to work his way deep into the Chivas USA half and sent a shot that hit the post. It was the best chance for either side on the half and although Morales was unable to score on the play, teammate Chris Wingert would pounce on the rebound and bury it to give the visitors the lead just before the whistle.
Despite the disappointing end to the first half, the red-and-white came out fighting in the second half. They controlled much of the pace and began to generate some offensive pressure, often through defender Mariano Trujillo, whose contributions took on a special level of importance last night given the absence of Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein, both of whom are with the U.S National Team.
Chivas USA continually built its momentum on the offensive side, but despite the heavy pressure on the Real defense, minutes continued to tick away and they remained down by a goal. Finally, at the 80th minute, forward Justin Braun would even the score with a great turn and strike from the edge of the penalty box. The red-and-white continued to pressure after the goal, but just when it seemed like they might a score a late game winner, disaster would strike.
A lapse on the defensive side would clear the way for a run at the Chivas USA goal by Real's Fabian Espindola. He would make the red-and-white pay, putting in the game's winner at the 89th minute on a one-on-one against Chivas USA 'keeper Zach Thornton.
"It hurts, obviously. I'd be lying if I said it was a learning experience," said rookie Chivas USA midfielder Blair Gavin about the loss.
Although clearly disappointed, he and others believe the team is playing well, but do need to find a solution to the frustrating setbacks that have been killing them in recent weeks.
With nearly a third of the season now behind them, the challenge of finding that solution becomes a bit more pressing. The task is further complicated by the fact the team will be playing its next three games on the road. However, the potential silver lining for Chivas USA is that the first of those three matches is against D.C. United who themselves are having an even more difficult start to their season.