Chivas USA travelled north to San Jose on Sunday night, to face fellow Californians the San Jose Earthquakes, and returned to SoCal with a valuable point that will leave fans with mixed feelings given the circumstances. For 88 minutes, The Goats stubbornly held on to a 1-0 lead but eventually came up short when San Jose finally got the equalizer their domination and play deserved. With only two minutes of regulation time left, another road victory and three prized points were almost in the bag. However, another late, heartbreaking goal condemned Chivas to a result that has to be classed as disappointing.
The Earthquakes undoubtedly deserved at least a point in this game but Chivas really should have stolen all three. Riding high this season at the top end of the Western Conference, San Jose were the first opponents in what will be an extremely difficult run of games for Chivas USA. Taking this into consideration, alongside Chivas’ poor run of form, a point away from home at San Jose is definitely a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, it will be the way in which Chivas USA surrendered such a great start to a game that will leave many disappointed. Jose Correa making his first start showed fans why Fraser brought him to the club with a coolly taken finish after only four minutes. But after such an electric start to the game, the excitement disappeared until the 84th minute when San Jose’s Alan Gordon leveled, to kill off any hopes of a return to that road winning record.
Robin Fraser started this game with the expected 4-2-3-1 formation that has been the platform for so much success on the road this season. Despite missing a key player in Oswaldo Minda (suspension) a return to a more defensive approach seemed the best way to keep the free-scoring Earthquakes at bay. However, it was Chivas USA who scored first when Jose Correa stunned the home fans with an immediate impact on his first start. After winning possession of the ball in midfield Miller Bolaños moved it onto full-back James Riley who sent in a cross for the lurking Correa. Despite being closely marked, the Colombian managed to deftly guide the ball into the net from seven yards for a goal fitting of a debut.
Goals have been hard to come by for the Rojiblancos this year so the early goal advantage was the perfect start. Starting this game on the back of a three game losing streak meant it was important they took control of this game early. Chivas USA have earned their points this year from taking their rare opportunities and staunchly defending any lead. However, after such a promising start the Goats failed to keep possession and defend the way they did in Salt Lake or Toronto for example.
Jose Correa’s goal in the fourth minute was perhaps the last attack that would get Chivas fans up off their seats. From then on it was all San Jose and Chivas USA had to cope with continued pressure from the home side as they pushed hard for an equalizer. The match stats tell it all really. The Earthquakes had 62.5% of possession, 24 attempts on goal, 15 corners and 28 open play crosses. Compare this to Chivas’ 5 attempts on goal (4 being off target), 11 crosses and just one corner. Another reoccurring statistic was the fact that yet again Dan Kennedy was the Man of the Match. As always though, you have to take your chances and that’s where Chivas USA held the advantage over San Jose, until the 88th minute at least. With just minutes remaining, former Goat and Galaxy player Alan Gordon out-jumped John Valencia to easily head the ball past Kennedy.
Throughout the game, Chivas USA failed to keep hold of the ball and when they did manage to find their feet, the attack was as poor as it has been for most of the season. At the other end of the field, where most of the 2nd half was played, the defense looked solid but somewhat unconvincing. With Chris Wondolowski and Steven Lenhart the Earthquakes were always going to get chances however Chivas USA held on without really impressing. When San Jose scored it didn’t really come as a shock just a disappointment. It was another painful late goal but it was a late goal that earned a tie and not a defeat like last weekend’s Chicago game. Even though it feels like a defeat, it has to be considered a good result.
Despite the frustration, as I mentioned previously, this is a step in the right direction results-wise. The last three games have seen the Goats score just one goal in three defeats. Although, late goals and a toothless attack have haunted Chivas USA they are still picking up points on the road. At the start of the 2012 season any Chivas USA fan would have taken 10 points from 15 on the road. On the other hand, performances aren’t really getting any better and this is worrying going into a run of games that includes LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls and the Seattle Sounders. It is almost a relief then that the next game is against the LA Galaxy. Like any derby, form seems to go out the window when you play your rivals, and players play for city bragging rights. The first Super-Clasico of the season is a home game for Chivas USA and there is no better way to break that awful home record with an encouraging win over your arch-rivals.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
