Final Result: Chicago Fire at Chivas USA
The second half was exactly as one might expect with Chivas USA up two goals and the Fire enjoying a man advantage; constant Chicago pressure, with Chivas resolutely defending.
Still, the Fire didn't boast too many clear-cut chances that would allow it to cut the 2-0 deficit, with shots going wide or goalmouth scrambles going nowhere.
One could even argue Chivas USA had the better opportunities, Sasha Kljestan almost snatching one with the end of regulation time looming.
The game undoubtedly suffered from the ejection, but the crowd of 24,143 sounded as if they savored every moment from Blanco's yellow card to Kljestan's mocking impression of Blanco's goal celebration after the Chivas USA midfielder had scored in the first half.
The win lifted Chivas USA to a tie with Houston for second in the Western Conference behind the Galaxy.
More later from the locker rooms.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
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