Chivas USA fought back from a deficit but gave up a late goal, falling to the defending MLS Champion Real Salt Lake by a 2-1 score on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center. With the loss, the Red-and-White fall to 3-6-1 (W-L-T) on the season, good for 10 points.
At the end of an even first half, Salt Lake took the lead when Chris Wingert finished a low shot after collecting a ball that had ricocheted off the post. It was Wingert’s first career MLS goal in his 147th match in the league.
Chivas USA forward Justin Braun, who had entered the match as a substitute in the 63rd minute, scored a great goal to tie the game at one. Collecting a ball at the top of the box in minute 80, the Salt Lake City native turned and fired a half volley to the far post, past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Braun now has three goals and two assists on the season, tied for the team lead in both categories.
The Red-and-White could not hold the lead, however, as RSL’s Fabian Espindola received the ball behind the Chivas USA defense in the 89th minute and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Zach Thornton.
The match was the first for Chivas USA without team co-captains Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan, who are currently with the United States National Team in Princeton, N.J. Both players are working to earn a spot on the U.S.’ final 23-player roster for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and the team will face the Czech Republic in a tune-up match on Wednesday.
Chivas USA defender and Anaheim native Carlos Borja made the first start of his MLS career, and his second all-time appearance, playing 90 minutes at left back in place of Jonathan Bornstein.
The team will travel on Sunday morning to Lake Elsinore for the first ‘Practice in the Community’ of 2010, where the entire Chivas USA first team will hold an open training session for fans. The event, which will take place at Temescal Canyon High School at 28755 El Toro Road in Lake Elsinore, begins at 10:30 a.m. PT.
The Red-and-White next face D.C. United on the road, next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT), in a match that will be broadcast on Prime Ticket, KWHY, and W Radio 690 AM.
Chivas USA Head Coach Martín Vásquez, on tonight’s match: “We came out flat, and they took advantage. That was the difference. Playing against a team like Houston you can’t come out flat…. We created plays, but… we couldn’t tie the game.”
Next home game: Chivas USA will next return to The Home Depot Center on June 26 at 7:30 p.m. PT when the team hosts FC Dallas. For more information on the game, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
Listen to post game audios from:
Post game reaction from Martín Vásquez:
Reacción de Martín Vásquez en Español:
