Chivas USA 2 San Jose Earthquakes 2

Chivas USA Coach Preki’s body language in the closing minutes of this game (off of bench, hands on hips, hand smacked into palm, etc.) told you all you needed to know about the coach’s frustration and the recognition this was a perfect (lost) opportunity to put the Galaxy and Dynamo under pressure Sunday.

Chivas USA has, at least temporarily, got a tenuous one point lead atop the Western Conference, but Preki just couldn’t solve the Earthquakes’ defense and get the winner. It was not for want of trying – Maicon Santos, Eduardo Lillingston and Jesus Padilla all came on as second half subs – but frankly Chivas USA lacked the killer instinct that will be so crucial in the playoffs.

Santos was to blame for missing two good scoring opportunities inside one minute.

Braun summed up Chivas USA’s night of futility when he failed in stoppage time to put a shot on frame with only the goalkeeper to beat, instead allowing a diving Andrew Weber to swipe it off his feet. Less Braun, more subtlety needed, one would think. BTW, he was chosen man of the match!

A disappointing game and disappointing attendance given the import of this game, too: 12,316.

More later.