Chivas wins three straight to open MLS season

Published on April 5, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. -- Eduardo Lillingston scored his second consecutive match-winner and Atiba Harris added his first goal of the campaign as Chivas USA beat the Columbus Crew 2-1 at The Home Depot Center on Sunday evening. The victory was Chivas USA's third consecutive win as the club has claimed nine of nine possible points this season, while the defending MLS Cup champion Crew have yet to win this season and now have just two points from four matches.

Lillingston, who scored the game-winning goal in last week's 2-0 win at FC Dallas, scored in the 50th minute to break open a 1-1 deadlock. Four minutes later, Crew defender Andy Iro, who scored the Columbus goal, was sent off and Chivas USA played the remaining 36 minutes with a man advantage. Atiba Harris also scored his first goal of the season in the victory, giving Chivas a first-half lead.

Justin Braun, who had started the first two games of the season, took his place in the club's infirmary ward, where it seems it is standing-room only. Other players who did not dress included Ante Razov (ankle), Ante Jazic (concussion) and Maykel Galindo (sports hernia surgery), among others.

To compensate for his absence, Chivas USA coach Preki moved Harris to forward where he played alongside Lillingston while Gerson Mayen remained in the starting lineup. Mayen, a native of Los Angeles, replaced Sacha Kljestan in Dallas a week ago when Kljestan was away on international duty. Even with Kljestan back in the mix, Mayen maintained his spot in the starting lineup.

Also, defender Jim Curtin saw his first action of the season as he started in central defense alongside Shavar Thomas. Carey Talley and Jonathan Bornstein played along the right and left flanks, respectively.

Likely a bit weary after playing in Utah and losing to Real Salt Lake by 4-1 on Thursday, Columbus began the match with little possession as Chivas USA dictated the pace and rhythm. The Crew were without fullbacks Frankie Hejduk and Jed Zayner, both of whom were also injured, though Alejandro Moreno did return from international duty to figure in the attack.

It was not until the quarter-hour, however, that Chivas USA threatened Columbus' goal. Lillingston slipped a ball down the middle of the field to Harris, who sprinted into space and tried tested Crew 'keeper William Hesmer from near the top of the penalty area. The shot, however, had little on it and Hesmer easily scooped it up.

Moments later, Harris found the ball again but Hesmer scrambled and pounced on the shot from inside the penalty area. Kljestan made his presence felt in the 16th minute when he tried a 25-yard attempt but Hesmer did well to parry the ball out of play.

Columbus finally put some pressure on Chivas' goal when Eddie Gaven powered a header on goal in the 17th minute but Chivas USA 'keeper Zach Thornton was in good position and parried the ball out of danger.

In the 25th minute, Mayen again made an impact on the game. Bornstein found Mayen unmarked along the left side of the area. Mayen held Gaven at bay before a quick move to the end line freed him from Gaven's mark. Mayen centered the ball and Harris beat Iro to the ball and tapped the ball across the goal line. The goal was Harris first of the season while Mayen picked up his second assist in as many starts.

However, Iro ultimately atoned for his defensive mistake. In the 37th minute Columbus' Emmanuel Ekpo played a ball to the front of the goal, where Moreno was able to flick the ball forward. Iro got to the ball and with Shavar Thomas draped on his back managed to find the ball and knock it past a helpless Thornton.

After the break, Chivas USA did not take long to regain the lead. In the 50th minute, Talley fired a free kick from the left side of the field towards the right post, where Thomas stood. Thomas knocked a header off the right post and the ball bounced towards a crowd. Lillingston was quickest to the rebound and knocked it into an empty net.

Some four minutes later, Iro gave another break to the hosts. After a nasty challenge on Talley, which left the defender writhing in pain for more than a minute, Iro saw red as referee Kevin Stott sent him off with a straight red card. Talley remained in the game.

Chivas seemed to relax with the lead and the 11-on-10 advantage, which led to more possession from Columbus. Guillermo Barros Schelotto nearly put Columbus even midway through the second half when he had a free header inside the penalty area. However, the Argentinean pushed his header wide of the goal.

The match ended quietly as Columbus generated little offense aside from that lone opportunity.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 5, 2009


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