Chivas USA makes its MLS Soccer Debut at the Home Depot Center in loss DC United (4/05)

DC United vs Chivas USA

April 2, 2005

Home Depot Center

 

The kick off to the 10^th MLS season began at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA with a 2-0 win by DC United over Chivas USA, despite playing in front of a very loud and energetic Chivas home crowd.

            The game started out slow as both offenses did not attack aggressively. After the first shot in the 6^th minute by forward Matt Taylor of Chivas USA, the game started to pick up. Both sides traded shots throughout the first half. The Chivas players showed some fancy footwork as they slowly worked the ball into DC United’s half; however, the DC defense repeatedly denied Chivas a goal.

            The first goal came in the 28^th minute after DC United forward Alecko Eskandarian got a yellow card for tripping midfielder Francisco Gomez, who was injured on the play, near the half-way marker. After the free kick, DC United quickly countered. DC United forward Jamie Moreno gathered the ball and dribbled it up the field and passed it to DC midfielder Brian Carroll at the top of the goal box. Carroll then took it wide left and Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan came out to stop him, but Carroll say a streaking Joshua Gros on the far post and crossed it low to him. The DC United midfielder then one-timed it into the back of the net. The goal was scored in the 32^nd minute.

            Following the DC United goal, Chivas quickly kicked off and in the 38^th minute, forward Thiago Martins tried a bicycle kick 5 yards out from the goal, but it sailed past the upper right post into the crowd. Two minutes later, Martin was involved in a scuffle with DC defender Mike Petke after Petke held the ball after rolling out of bounds. Chivas started to aggressively attack the goal to finish the half, but were unable to finish any shots.

            The start of the second half saw Chivas coming out shooting. In the first 3 minutes, there were three opportunities that they were unable to capitalize on. Chivas dominated the first part of the second half and controlled the ball for the most part. DC United looked to be playing conservatively as they began to play a more defensive game. In the 60^th minute, however, DC began to attack and had two opportunities in two minutes. Both shots went wide of the goal. DC then brought on Santino Quaranta for newly signed midfielder Steve Guppy in the 67^th minute. With fresh legs, Quaranta put pressure on the Chivas’ defense. Soon after, in the 74^th minute, 15 year old Freddy Adu came on for DC United in place of Eskandarian. Two minutes later, the ball was bouncing around in front of the Chivas goal and DC forward Christian Gomez was able to gather the ball and chip it over Guzan. After the goal, Chivas poured on the pressure and tried to score, but DC kept denying Chivas a goal. There were a few more opportunities for both sides, but the final whistle blew after 2 minutes of stoppage time with DC United shutting out Chivas.

            After the game, when talking to reporters, veteran defender Ezra Hendrickson said that they were very disappointed at the lost. “They out played us,” Taylor said after the game to reporters.

During the post-game press conference, Chivas USA coach Thomas Rongan, who won a MLS Cup title with DC United in 1999, further reiterated the disappointment, saying that they were “disappointed in the result; especially since we worked so hard for this historic day.” Rongan however saw some positives in the game as well. “I thought that we displayed certain things that will make us a better team. We had a good start to the second half and we created shots chances with Matt Taylor.”

Even with the loss, Rongan expressed optimism for the future. “I think we will get better each game.”

            During half time, in celebration of Chivas’ inaugural season, a group of mariachi bands came out to perform accompanied by white and red shirt kids. Besides the half time show, before the game the stadium was littered with booths that celebrated the sister club of the Mexican League team. When asked about being compared to the successful Mexican League counterpart, coach Rongan said at the post-game press conference that “We are in 2 different countries. I don’t care if I am judged. Its part of the business and that pressure will always be there.”

            Up next for Chivas is a game at San Jose against the Earthquakes on Saturday April 9^th at 4pm, which can be seen on ESPN2. San Jose has started the season with a 2-2 tie against the New England Revolution. For DC United, they go home and play at 7:30 pm against the Chicago Fire, who lost to Dallas 2-1 in Dallas.

             Chivas USA shares their home field with the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center (18400 Avalon Blvd.  Carson, CA. 90746).  For future information  for Chivas USA, please call (310)630-4550 or 877-Chivas1.  Ticket info at (877)244-8271.  Website is cdchivasusa.com