Chivas USA travelled to Colorado to face the Rapids on Saturday night looking to bounce back from that horrendous Super Clasico defeat to the LA Galaxy…and they did, but just not in the way they would have hoped. With the season starting to wind down and teams making their claim for the playoffs, the Goats are in a situation where every single game has to be played for all 3 points. No longer can games such as this one, away to fellow playoff hopefuls Colorado, be described as good enough when Chivas return home with a hard-fought point. They simply have to take all three or it must be classed as disappointing. On Saturday night, despite failing to make a marked improvement on their last performance, Chivas USA held on against the Rapids and earned a shock, last gasp point that normally would have felt like a victory. Unfortunately, despite the heroics, you couldn’t help but still feel like things are starting to slip away.
After the 4-0 defeat to LA Galaxy, Robin Fraser needed a positive reaction from his players after undoubtedly their worst game of the season. Taking on fellow Western Conference side the Colorado Rapids was of course going to be difficult, but it was still a perfect opportunity of making up valuable ground in the playoff race. With the Rapids occupying the place below the Rojiblancos and still clinging onto hopes of extending their season as well, it was a chance for Chivas USA to bounce back and show their competition they had a fight on their hands. It was just a shame then that, once again, the performance didn’t match either the potential or ambitions of Robin Fraser’s side.
After going a goal down in the 19th minute, Chivas USA waited until the 83rd to mount their comeback and snatch arguably a somewhat undeserved point. Struggling for possession, chances and any sort of creative spark, Juan Pablo Angel’s late equalizer stunned the home fans and does give Chivas USA fans a little less to worry about until the next game. Turning in a low cross from Tristan Bowen, Angel’s typical poacher’s goal did give the expectant fans hope of a late, winning comeback but it turned out to be the final goal of the game. Months or even weeks ago, this kind of late goal and result would be enough to keep the fans happy. However, facing a team below you in the conference and valuable points at stake in the league this result will not please the players, staff or fans. It was of course a satisfying way to cap off another poor performance but grinding out ties is not what Robin Fraser wants right now…its wins that he needs.
The Goats had a mountain to climb in this game after just 19 minutes. Going a goal down that early is normally not a major concern to teams. However, with Chivas USA this season, goals have been an insurmountable challenge and to score two away from home in 70mins of soccer was sadly against all the odds. Although they had a chance of getting back into this game, the goal itself was another frustrating example of Chivas’ usual strength, their defense, escaping them when they need it the most. Robbed on the edge of his own area, new Goat Shalrie Joseph allowed Rapids’ Brian Mullan to sneak in and fire the ball past Dan Kennedy. It was a terrible mistake by Chivas’ latest signing and something the player himself vowed pre-game not to happen again after a few errors against the Galaxy last week.
It was a typical first half performance from Chivas USA and they did manage to up their game in the second, but nowhere near the level needed to claim all three points from a dominant Colorado side. The introduction of Tristan Bowen and Juan Pablo Angel did make a difference late on in the game and again the Goats did show their ability to grind out a result. It was also no surprise that Dan Kennedy was their man of the match. I think you can guess why.
With another frustrating performance, but important point to add to their tally, things are starting to look very bleak for Chivas USA on the playing front. Back to the standings though and they still have a chance. And that is where fans will find solace until the next game against Seattle. Chivas USA sit seventh in the West with 27 points. They are 10 points behind Vancouver and LA (who sit just above the playoff line), 1 point above Colorado but 5 behind FC Dallas. However, in their favor, is the fact they have games in hand on all these teams (4 on LA & Vancouver, 3 on Colorado and 5 on FC Dallas). Mathematically, this still gives Robin Fraser an opportunity to use these games in hand to get things back on track. The problem is though performances have not given fans much hope that these games in hand will be used to our advantage.
Starting with LA last week Chivas started a run of games that could have seen them climb the table and challenge strongly for a playoff place. Like after each of the last couple of games, we again have to look to the next game in hope of revival and a season best performance. This is hasn’t happened recently though. And again I need to finish a match report losing hope, but not giving up, and blindly predicting they will somehow turn it around in the next game.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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