Chivas USA beats Earthquakes in HDC scrimmage

Chivas USA 1 San Jose Earthquakes 0

Van Nuys' Tristan Bowen looked lively this afternoon playing out wide against the 'Quakes, producing a couple of chances for Chivas USA that included a shot he hit just shot wide of the post. (Photo by Staff Photographer Robert Casillas).

It was the second preseason win for Chivas USA, who started haltingly, but looked more comfortable as the game wore on.

Former Galaxy forward Alan Gordon produced the game's only goal, converting a Victor Estupiñan chip in the 55th minute from 13 yards with the Earthquakes defense generously giving him plenty of room. Newcomer Estupiñan, who has brashly predicted he will score 20-plus goals this year, also had a goal in Chivas USA's first preseason game against the Fresno Fuego.

Notable: Veteran holding midfielder Simon Elliott, formerly of the Galaxy, was among the busiest - and impressive - players on the field early on, showing he's still able to bottle up a midfield at age 36. Elliott is on trial with Chivas USA after playing back home in his native New Zealand post-World Cup.

Continuing the Kiwi theme, former New York Red Bull Andrew Boyens has joined Chivas USA's camp and replaced Michael Umana in central defense during the scrimmage.

Paulo Nagamura showed he hasn't lost his knack for finding the goal from outside the box, sending a stinging 25-yard half volley just wide.

Midfielder Blair Gavin played his first game since returning from a serious hamstring injury last year.

The game consisted of three 35-minute periods, incidentally.

Interested spectators at the game included USMNT Coach Bob Bradley and assistant Jesse Marsch as well as Galaxy coaches Bruce Arena and Curt Onalfo.

Chivas USA lineup: Zach Thornton (Sergio Arias 53), Zarek Valentin (Mariano Trujillo 53), Jimmy Conrad (Carlos Borja 53), Michael Umaña (Andrew Boyens 53), Ante Jazic (Jorge Flores 36) (Bryan De La Fuente 71), Paulo Nagamura (Gerson Mayén 53), Blair Gavin (Mike Lahoud 53), Simon Elliott (Ben Zemanski 36), Francisco Mendoza (Sal Zizzo 53) (Chris Cortez 85), Tristan Bowen (Alan Gordon 53), Alejandro Moreno (Victor Estupiñan 36) (Jesús Padilla 71)