After three games at the Home Depot Center to kick-start their 2013 season, Chivas USA had their first road game of the season on Sunday against the Chicago Fire. With only 1 point to their name so far, Chicago have struggled to get their season going and a visit from the Goats would normally have been ideal in order to pick up some points. Although Chivas USA of 2013 is all about entering a new era, it was actually a phrase from last year that cropped on Sunday: “Road Warriors”. Looking to build some momentum to prove they won’t be the whipping boys of the Western Conference, Chivas USA put in another determined performance and fired four goals past the hapless Chicago Fire.
After last week’s controversial and much celebrated tie over the LA Galaxy, Chivas USA had another point to prove. They had bounced back from an opening day defeat to Columbus Crew, held their rivals to a draw when the odds were against them, but could get they go on the road and show the same kind of fight? Last season they were tagged as “road warriors” but in the end that didn’t amount to much. Only three games in and people have already started to wonder if the Chivas USA could be the real deal. A positive away result on a cold Chicago afternoon was the perfect way to keep them talking.
Like many a Chivas USA game, the first half was not packed with highlights (i.e. goals). The Goats have made a habit of being a second half team and like the previous three games all the action came after the break.
For the first time this season Chivas USA opened the scoring in a match and for the occasion Edgar Mejia saved one of his best. Waiting on the edge of the box, Mejia picked up a pass from Juan Agudelo and fired in a rocket of a shot from 25 yards. It was instantly a contender for goal of the week. What was also pleasing to see were the celebrations from the team. It was a fantastic goal, but the team spirit within this club was evident regardless of this, as all the players celebrated together and Mejia ran over to embrace his head coach.
As per usual, it is worth mentioning the contribution of Dan Kennedy. The captain was in inspired form once again and made several outstanding saves in both halves to keep Chicago at bay. However, seven minutes after they took the lead Chivas conceded a goal and gave the Fire their first goal of the season when Patrick Nyarko knocked the ball past the Chivas Number 1.
With chances at both ends, it was the perfect opportunity for the home side to take confidence from their equalizing goal and go for a winner. But it was the visitors who found the net next and then closed out the game in style. Goal scorer Edgar Mejia’s free-kick found its way over to Joaquin Velasquez at the far side of the box and the red card returnee’s header sailed over the Chicago Fire goalkeeper who was at fault for being in the dreaded no man’s land.
Two minutes later Juan Agudelo made it 3-1 Chivas with another wonderful goal. Running onto a pass from Jorge Villafana the forward outmuscled Jeff Larentowicz inside the box and curled an expert shot into the back of the net. Agudelo, who has since been named MLS player of the week, has two goals for the season and had one of those games worthy of all his hype.
Chicago Fire still had time to get a point out of this game, and they had their chances, but Chivas USA were not going to let this one slip away. The fight shown by this team suggests we will not be seeing the Goats giving up in a game and going down without a fight…Chelís simply won’t stand for that. But just in case, luck went their way, and it soon became 4-1. A cross from Jose Correa was sent goal-ward by the covering Anibaba and Chicago finished the game with even more disappointment.
After Chicago equalized Chivas USA ran away with the game and although it was deserved it might have made them look a bit better than they were. The Fire kept Dan Kennedy busy throughout and Chivas USA were again caught out defensively on a couple of occasions. However, it is worth remembering that Chelís has set up this team to play attractive soccer and win games by scoring more goals, not necessarily grinding out results like they did last year. Of course there is a lot of room for improvement but it is still very early in the season. What is more important right now is that they are picking up points and scoring goals. Chivas currently lead the MLS in goals scored with 8 and that is already a third of what they managed last season altogether.
It has been a long time Chivas USA have managed to win a game by such a margin and with such great goals. They are playing with confidence and it isn’t surprising that people are already starting to rethink their 2013 predictions for the club.
You will not be surprised to hear however that Chivas USA again were underestimated, and underappreciated, before and after this game. Chicago Fire might be having a poor start to the season but this was not a walkover. Dan Kennedy might have kept them in the game, but so did the goal scorers. It also might be very early in the season, but Chivas USA are now second in the West with 7 points. Can you honestly say you expected that before the start of the season?
(image courtesy of USA Today Sports Images)
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