Halftime: Chivas USA-Colorado Rapids

Chivas USA 0 Rapids 0

Let’s be charitable and note that this was the opening 45 minutes of a long season.

This was a game that took at least 30 minutes to get rolling – and it didn’t roll far.

Maykel Galindo was Chivas USA’s bright spot, his long, rapid runs causing Colorado problems on several occasions, notably when the Cuban burned Kosuke Komura with a run that started in his own half midway through the first half.

But on the whole Chivas USA – and to be fair the game as a whole – has lacked any sort of real rhythm.

Sacha Kljestan has looked out of sorts in midfield, running randomly into packed defenses or losing the ball unnecessarily. Jorge Flores hasn’t looked much better out wide on the left either, which is where the bulk of Chivas USA’s attacks have been concentrated.

Perhaps the fact that both teams best chances may have come from long range summed up the speculative nature of both attacks.

Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens – who has looked shaky on several occasions – had trouble handling a long-range Marcelo Saragosa shot in the 18th minute; similarly Colin Clark sent a 30-yard blast whistling past Dan Kennedy’s far post just before halftime.

Colorado finished the half without a shot on target, Chivas USA had two.

Not surprisingly, Justin Braun has replaced the ineffective Jorge Flores as the second half begins.

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