Forget about next season and forget about the continued uncertainty surrounding Chivas USA. Opening day for this club is, and always has been, a huge deal. Every year it begs the question of can they turn around their fortunes? Can they banish the nightmares of the previous year? With the sale of the club imminent, and rebranding a certainty, this is it for what we know as Chivas USA. This is the final year and a chance at something of a swansong. Opening day was thus magnified and also highlighted a new era for the Goats…again.
The club has branded it as a year of being “Stronger, Together” and Sunday’s game against the Chicago Fire exemplified that. The team was by far a stronger unit than previous seasons and they worked together to produce an emotional 2nd half display. Since I moved to California, I have been to 2 full seasons worth of home games. Sunday was one I will always remember and not just because it signaled the beginning of the end. The passion in stands, because of the effort and success on the field, gave us 3 points that felt like 6.
I have never had the pleasure of writing a positive recap of a season opener for Total MLS, and after 45mins of this game I thought that might not change. A goalless first half at the StubHub was very familiar. However, the 2nd half was something special. Before 60mins Chivas USA were 2-0 up on the Chicago Fire. A penalty from Cubo Torres and goal from debutant rookie Thomas McNamara gave Chivas USA a lead that fans were not used to. From my seat in section 101 with over 250 Union Ultras we were in dreamland. The team was winning and they looked hungry. We were also witnessing the on field change we demanded as well as the off the field one.
Chicago Fire got themselves back into the game with 2 goals in 10mins and this would normally signal a Chivas USA collapse. Step forward Bubby Burling with just minutes left. I will never get carried away with one good result for Chivas USA. However that header from Burling to grab all 3 points could be vital to the kind of season Chivas are going to have.
Before the game our supporters group spoke the new president Nelson Rodriguez. He mentioned that the club will be improving day by day as the season progresses and there was 100% commitment to Chivas colors. He recognized the unwavering support of the Union Ultras and reiterated MLS’ desire to make this team a competitive Los Angeles based soccer club. They would be searching for owners that have passion for LA soccer and not just the dollars the club so desperately needs (Translated from Spanish to English by a group representative).
This is a second time in my time as a fan here that I have been promised a successful new era by those in charge of the club. Sunday was the first time I had witnessed it on the first day of the season. There is still a whole season ahead of us but there was enough on show on Sunday to suggest we might be getting sold the truth for a change.
(images courtesy of Javier Escalera Jr.)
