Chivas USA and Sporting Kansas City played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday. Coming into the match, Kansas City was on a home unbeaten streak and Chivas were coming off a midweek victory. Despite the 1-1 scoreline, which would suggest an even match, the score did not tell all of the story. Chivas were seconds away from victory, as they went ahead on a goal from Nick LaBrocca in the 30th minute, but Omar Bravo tied the game in second half injury time on a header off a poor clearance from Zarek Valentin. Although Chivas are certainly happy to come away with a point, they were very disappointed with that result, considering it seemed like they had managed to hold on for a win.
There were two big stars in the match for Chivas. Yet again, LaBrocca came up big, as he scored in his third consecutive game and scored his six goal for the season. He also scored the 10,000th goal in MLS history, so remember that for the pub quiz. It is really nice to see him getting recognition, not only among Chivas fans, but among fans league-wide. Besides another strong shift from LaBrocca, goalkeeper Dan Kennedy had a remarkable game, and he was the player most hard done by the draw. He recorded six saves, including some spectacular saves that really saved Chivas’ defense. I think both players had legitimate grounds for an all-star selection, and while neither will get one, they are earning more and more respect.
To some extent, it was a tale of two halves, as Chivas played better in the first half, and Sporting Kansas City turned the tables in the second half. Chivas coach Robin Fraser admitted that he needed to make tactical changes on the fly, as SKC’s coach Peter Vermes changed his game plan during the game, and it was working. As the game went on, the Goats were under siege by KC’s attack, and although it looked like they could hang on, a few of KC’s chances were narrow misses. Chivas ended up putting most of their players in the box, and essentially willed the time to pass by while Kansas City peppered the goal with shots. So while Bravo’s goal was a gut punch, the Goats frankly would have been lucky to win.
Above all, Chivas have to take some heart from this performance, and those of the last week. After their 3-game losing streak, there were fears, both among fans and the team itself, that the Goats were maybe not a very good team. While they gave up another lead in this match, I am still optimistic looking forward. The mistake that led to the goal came from a poor clearance in the box by rookie defender Zarek Valentin. While players never want to make mistakes, I think he should be given a bit of slack in this case. He has been very steady overall this season, and the critiques of Chivas’ backline have not focused on him exclusively, to his credit. So if he makes a habit of this, it will be worrisome, but I think this is the type of growing pain that rookies, especially rookie defenders, will go through in their development as professionals.
Chivas had a good week, as they received five points, and will be looking to keep rolling when they host New York Red Bulls next Saturday. It should be an interesting match, as the Red Bulls will surely be looking for revenge after Chivas’ 3-2 victory in April. But Chivas know New York, for all their talent, are remarkably inconsistent, and will feel confident in facing Thierry Henry and company.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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