Deja Vu for Chivas USA

For the second week in a row Chivas USA suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Home Depot Center. Last weekend it was Houston Dynamo, this week it was the Vancouver Whitecaps. Everything was all too similar in a game that was Chivas USA’s chance to learn from their mistakes against Houston. It wasn’t a stoppage time goal that proved to be the winner this time but once again it was a goal from a set piece. Late in the 2nd half, Davide Chiumiento sent in a corner kick that found a completely unmarked Jay DeMerit who didn’t pass up the opportunity for a first career MLS goal and a first away win for the Whitecaps.

The Dynamo defeat highlighted what Chivas USA still had to work on after preseason however it was much of the same against Vancouver. A clear lack of aggression and composure in front of goal saw The Goats fail to take their chances in a match where they actually dominated possession. The Whitecaps took advantage of this, however, allowing Chivas USA to control possession and then focus on their counter attack. Despite a lack of urgency, Chivas played well at times and created some good chances but overall they will be extremely disappointed at their start to the 2012 season. Robin Fraser was unable to field his preferred line-up again with main man Juan Pablo Angel added to the injury list. The starting XI was as follows:

Kennedy; Jazic Pearce, McKenzie, Riley; Courtois, Minda, Vagenas, LaBrocca, Smith; Townsend

Chivas started the game well and if they had been more clinical in the first half it could have changed the outcome of this game. Early on, Ryan Smith was sent through by James Riley but his shot was saved by Whitecaps keeper Joe Cannon. Just after the 20 minute mark it was Smith who once again who forced Cannon into action with a shot from 25 yards. With Angel out injured Casey Townsend was making his first ever MLS start and almost marked the occasion with a goal. In the 32nd minute, he curled in a great shot from the edge of the box that had to be tipped over the bar. Cannon was then forced off injured and his replacement Brad Knighton had to come on and thwart more Chivas USA attacks. With enough chances to go into the half with the lead, but the game poised at 0-0, Fraser must have pointed out to his players it could all end like it did against the Dynamo last weekend. The disappointment at Houston’s late goal then would hopefully spurn them on when the 2nd half came.

With Chivas USA pressure came few chances for the Vancouver Whitecaps and the second half started the same way. Vancouver struggled to improve their possession stats and the Rojiblancos controlled the game much like they did in the 1st half. Some good build up play from Chivas once again ended without any real threat to Vancouver’s goal. With the score still at 0-0, Chivas USA weren’t showing much improvement on previous performances. Nick LaBrocca may have been unlucky not to earn a penalty kick after being brought down in the box but that should be no excuse for another goalless performance from the team. Good play and good possession would be fruitless again and it was Vancouver broke the deadlock in the 68th minute. After winning a corner the ball was sent over to Jay DeMerit who stood, unmarked, in the Chivas USA box and Dan Kennedy was unable to prevent his header from finding the back of the net.

The goal came a bit earlier this time but Chivas USA fans must have left the Home Depot Center on Saturday night feeling a lot like they did on the opening day of the season. It was another home game, another decent performance and another 1-0 defeat. With the teams attacking players failing to find the net in a second consecutive match Robin Fraser was disappointed in his side’s lack of aggression despite their stranglehold on the possession. What were also similar to the Houston Dynamo defeat were the post-match comments. The result and lack of goals was attributed to a lack of understanding and familiarity between a new unit of players and what was needed, therefore, was more playing time together. It’s still early and they do need time but if Chivas USA are to improve on last season’s finish they must find this aggression.

Chivas USA go to Real Salt Lake next still searching for their first goals and points of the new season.

(image courtesy of Getty Images)