Final: Chivas USA 2 San Jose Earthquakes 0
Not exactly a thing of beauty, but Chivas USA finally has win number five on the season and its first victory since June 4.
A gathering of 9,425 witnessed this one.
More later.
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Nick LaBrocca scored Chivas USA’s second from seven yards out in the 84th minute, latching onto a defense-splitting pass from substitute Panchito Mendoza. Sweet move.
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Panchito Mendoza replaced Blair Gavin in midfield in the 73rd minute for Chivas USA; Mendoza is now just two appearances behind Jonny Bornstein as the club’s all-time appearance leader.
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An innocuous square ball from Justin Braun teed up Ben Zemanski who sent a blistering, swerving shot crashing past Jon Busch from at least 30 yards out in the 64th minute.
The game sorely needed that goal.
Halftime
So perhaps it’s unreasonable to expect much offense from a team that couldn’t get a goal against make-shift Galaxy goalkeeper Mike Magee a couple of weeks back and a team hovering near the basement of the Western Conference, but sometimes it seemed MLS had an invisible fence set up in the attacking third at each end of the field.
Best chances for each team: a 30-yard Steven Lenhart shot that went whistling wide in the 42nd minute and what looked an accidental Justin Braun header that had Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch flapping at it in case it entered his top right corner in stoppage time.
But little in the way of continuity, vision and attacking endeavor from two pretty uninspired teams really.
Most amazing stat: Chivas USA were credited with four shots on target (San Jose had one). Really?
Oh, Earthquakes defender Steven Beitashour went down with an injury just before the half ended and was replaced by Tim Ward.
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We’re at the 30 minute mark and virtually nothing of note has occurred unless you count ineffective crosses and poor shooting. The Earthquakes’ Chris Wondolowski just took a shot from outide the penalty box straight at Dan Kennedy and that was perhaps the most notable offesne of the night.
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Chivas USA’s second Wednesday night game of the season did not prove a crowd crushing experience driving into Home Depot Center tonight.
And if it hadn’t been for the way to many parking lot attendants and unnecessary barriers preventing you from finding a spot easily and quickly I would have been through the gates even quicker.
Chivas USA’s crowd is increasingly resembling an elementary or middle school assembly and tonight appears no different. Can you actually make money selling discounted tickets to AYSO teams? I have no idea, but perhaps that’s why Chivas USA’s entire public relations staff fled during the month or so family issues prevented me from attending a club game in Carson.
With one win in the last eight games Chivas USA Coach Robin Fraser has gone with, um, a largely unchanged team from the starting XI that tied 1-1 with Chicago last time out in a game that was virtually unwatchable.
Blair Gavin returns to the starting lineup in place of the injured Paulo Nagamura (quad strain) in midfield, while Victor Estupinan gets only his second start of the season in place of Marcos Mondaini, who drops to the bench.
Chivas USA: Dan Kennedy-Michael Lahoud, Michael Umana, Heath Pearce, Zarek Valentin-Blair Gavin, Nick LaBrocca, Simon Elliott, Jorge Flores-Justin Braun, Victor Estupinan.
Other options off the bench include Chris Cortez and Panchito Mendoza.
Earthquakes Coach Frank Yallop has made three changes to the team that drew 2-2 with New York last weekend: Chris Leitch comes into the back line for the suspended Bobby Burling, the former LMU and Chivas USA defender, while Sam Cronin and Joey Gjertsen replace Khari Stephenson and Simon Dawkins, who move to the bench.
Earthquakes XI: Jon Busch-Steven Beitashour, Jason Hernandez, Chris Leitch, Ramiro Corrales – Sam Cronin, Brad Ring, Joey Gjertsen, Ryan Johnson-Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart
The game is on Fox Sports West.
Refresh this page for updates throughout the game.
