(Editor's Note: This article was written prior to the firing of Jose Luis Sanchez Sola)
Tuesday night Chivas USA won a game for the first time since the 30th of March. Unfortunately, for those of us dreaming of the playoffs, it wasn’t an end to their MLS misery but just a win in the much maligned US Open Cup. Nevertheless, it was a much needed victory and confidence booster that also featured something quite extraordinary. You may have thought it was impossible for Chivas USA fans to love Dan Kennedy any more than they did already but somehow, on a Tuesday evening in the US Open Cup, he has managed to reinforce his status as a club legend. But more importantly he gave fans something they were desperate for….a positive pre-game discussion.
Chivas USA had arrived back in California after another defeat on the road, this time to Western Conference rivals the Colorado Rapids, and the mood amongst the support was at a new low. All that early season positivity was a distant memory as the poor performances and off the field rumors had been dominating the discussion. The last thing they needed was an embarrassing result in the US Open Cup against the LA Blues.
The game itself might have been exactly what they needed though. A chance to step away from their MLS misery, feature in another competitive game and find some form. A chance to taste victory again, no matter who the opposition, and give their fans some goals to cheer. In the end, that’s what we got. Chivas secured the win with a couple of goals and progressed to the next stage of the competition.
Unfortunately for those of us who turned up to support the Goats, the $8 admission fee seemed like a rip-off in the first half. Chivas USA went 1-0 down and they looked every bit as disjointed as they do in Major League Soccer. However, what a difference a halftime team-talk and a PK taking goalkeeper can make. The second half performance was a major improvement and two goals later Chivas fan were celebrating a rare win. It was in the 59th minute though that $8 ticket price went from rip-off to bargain.
With Chivas USA struggling to find the net from the penalty spot recently and players even arguing over who should be taking them, Dan Kennedy ended any debate when he stepped up and showed his teammates how it’s done. It is not often you see a goalkeeper take a PK (unless he is forced to do so in a shootout) and, in a way, it can be quite embarrassing as it can highlight just your offensive problems. However, Chivas USA simply need goals and if our goalkeeper can grab a couple from a free kick or PK then so be it.
The sight of the Dan Kennedy sprinting off his line to the other end of the field to take a penalty had the fans off their seats and in fine voice. This level of excitement and joy has been lacking in the stands recently. We almost got it when Kennedy took a free kick in the last home game but this was still unexpected.
As he blasted the ball into the back of the net and won his side the game the celebrations did not remind me that this was only the US Open Cup. Everyone was elated and all the negativity from before the game (and the first half) disappeared. It was not completely forgotten about, but this was something you don’t see every day. Your captain and goalkeeper winning you a game with a spot kick isn’t something you will ever forget and this has raised hopes for our upcoming games in the league.
Hopefully this is the feeling amongst the players as well. Despite the opposition, Chivas USA have now got a couple of goals in a competitive match, won a game for the first time since March and gave their fans a night to remember. Their upcoming games do not get any easier but this might just be the kick start they need to get their MLS season back on track.
So although the whole team played their part in the victory, Dan Kennedy’s PK might have just revived Chivas USA. He is making world class saves for Chivas USA and getting himself on the score sheet. Maybe Chelís should deploy him in that Xavi midfield role as well…
(image courtesy of Olivia Cervantes)
