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Earthquakes trounce Chivas USA to extend lead atop Western Conference

RamiroCorrales (Getty)

The San Jose Earthquakes just keep on winning and Chivas USA just keeps on bleeding goals and squandering chances to get into the Western Conference playoff race.

In a result that should have been inevitable considering the form of the Earthquakes attack and the sad state of the Chivas USA defense, the Earthquakes rolled to a 4-0 victory at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sunday night. Victor Bernardez and Simon Dawkins opened the scoring, while Ramiro Corrales delivered a pair of free kick goals to extend San Jose's lead in the race for the Supporters Shield and homefield advantage in the MLS playoffs.

In what has become a recurring nightmare for goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, Chivas USA's defense looked helpless in trying to keep an opponent from generate chance after chance. Once again, it was Kennedy doing his best to keep those chances from going in, but even he could not stop the onslaught.

San Jose converted three free kicks on the night, beginning with a long-range blast from Victory Bernardez in the 11th minute that Kennedy could have done better on. After a Dawkins goal in the 39th minute, Corrales sealed the victory in the second half. He struck a perfect left-footed free kick in the 71st minute, then caught Chivas USA napping and quickly took a free kick that beat Kennedy while Kennedy and Chivas USA were still setting up their wall.

The win moves the Earthquakes seven points clear of Real Salt Lake at the top of the West standings, and three points clear of Sporting Kansas City in the race for the Supporters Shield. For Chivas USA, the match marked the fourth time in five matches that they surrendered at least three goals. The loss also keeps Chivas USA nine points out of a playoff spot, though the Goats do have three games in hand on fifth-place Vancouver. A fact that seems more and more meaningless with each ugly loss.

Here are the match highlights:

What did you think of the match? See anybody slowing down San Jose on their quest for a title? Think Chivas USA can regroup and still make a run at the playoffs?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Kennedy will feel he cod have done better on the first free kick, but Dawkins and Corrales’ first goal were unstoppable I thought. Their whole team was to blame on that last one.

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  2. Chivas deserve to be relegated to the third division. They don’t deserve the title of a major league soccer team. The goals they gave up were just horrendous. And those calling for Kennedy for the USMNT team need to see the tape of the game.

    Reply

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