By ADAM SERRANO
For weeks, Chivas USA has searched for goals.
On Saturday, the Rojiblancos finally found them and were able to earn their first victory of the season in a 2-1, come-from-behind result against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Alejandro Moreno and Mariano Trujillo scored the goals, which equaled the highest goal output that Chivas has had all season. Chivas USA displayed a great deal of energy throughout the match, consistently forcing the Earthquakes into turnovers and winning possession in their end. Following the match, the team was proud at finally getting its first victory of the season.
"The win was going to come," said Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser. "I’m more happy for the guys because they’ve worked incredibly hard in the last four months, so for them to come and to get the first win on the road, it’s a huge a testament to what they have done.”
San Jose struggled throughout the game to match the intesity in midfield that Chivas USA displayed but was able to find the net first. A failed clearance by Rojiblancos defender Andy Boyens allowed Khari Stephenson to keep the ball in the Chivas box and play it over to Chris Wondolowski, who headed past Dan Kennedy for his third goal of the season in the 15th minute of play.
Rather than wilting under the pressure, Chivas USA responded with sustained pressure of its own for much of the first half. The Rojiblancos were eventually rewarded just moments before the end of the first half, when a Heath Pearce free kick found Moreno, who beat goalkeeper Jon Busch with the slightest of touches off his head. At the start of the second half, the Quakes responded by controlling a great deal of possession in the Chivas end.
To counter this change in momentum, Fraser inserted forward Justin Braun, who was able to make an immediate impact. Dangerous throughout his stint, it was Braun who beat two Earthquakes defenders in the 85th minute and had a saved shot rebound right to Trujillo, allowing the defender to score his first MLS goal. Following the match, the Earthquakes were looking for answers as to why they were outplayed on their own field.
“I’m a little bit lost for words to be honest. I was not happy from the opening whistle. I didn’t see commitment or fight from anyone," said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. "We will have to take a hard look at the team and make some decisions for next week. We need to come out with more energy. One thing that I always want to see is fight and that wasn’t there today.”
Chivas USA is now unbeaten in its last four matches and currently mid-table in the Western Conference. The Rojiblancos look ahead next week to their first match at home in several weeks taking on Benny Feilhaber and the New England Revolution. San Jose will look to right the ship next week when they travel to PPL Park to face the Philadelphia Union.
Erm, Frank- many would argue the changes need to start with you and your lineups.
I’m so tired of watching the Quakes just plain suck at home. Four games and no wins. Great efforts against RSL & Seattle but our defense is shambolic and that is unacceptable.
On a positive note, Ampai fans will be pleased to know he played very well. Super-composed on the ball, and should’ve had a couple of assists. I wanted him to shoot one time after he created space for himself in the box, but he made a great pass thru the top of the 6 which everybody missed.
Sealy is garbage! Start Luzanaris or Johnson next time Yallop sheeesh
haha ives was super salty about the feilhaber flop to draw red in this one, to say the least
wow never thought id see the day… cant believe chivas is playing pearce at cb