Chivas USA and Colorado Rapids Battle to Scoreless Draw

February 26, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


TUCSON, Ariz. (Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014) - Chivas USA played the Colorado Rapids to a scoreless draw Wednesday afternoon in their third match of the Desert Diamond Cup at the Kino Sports Complex's North Stadium. Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy started in goal and played 45 minutes, helping the Red-and-White secure their fifth point in the tournament with a clean sheet and remain unbeaten in preseason play.

The Rojiblancos had the better run of play in the first part of the initial half as they got into range in the eighth and ninth minute. Rookie Kris Tyrpak had the first look at giving the Goats the lead when he took control of a chip inside the box, but Colorado goalkeeper Joe Nasco came off his line in time to break up the threat. A minute later, midfielder Bryan de la Fuente had a clean look at goal and got off a strike on frame from outside the edge of the box that was deflected by Nasco.

Colorado nearly took the advantage in the 28th minute off a free kick driven by forward Gabriel Torres from about 20 yards out. The striker's shot traveled through the defensive wall and appeared headed inside the right post, but Kennedy denied the threat with a last-second diving save to his left.

Renewing actions in the second half, the Red-and-White continued to generate solid looks at goal. In the 51st minute, defender Fejiro Okiomah worked the ball into the attacking third and sent a cross from the left side of the box intended for forward Caleb Calvert. However, Colorado's keeper again managed to break up the play. A minute later, right back Andrew Ribeiro sent a header wide left of the post after it was played in from the left seam off a free kick.

Coming on as a sub in the 60th minute, forward Adolfo Bautista began creating opportunities in the final third. Bautista nearly put Chivas up in the 71st minute when Marco Delgado sent him a cross from the right wing toward the back post, but the pass was wide and Bautista could not head it on frame. In the 81st minute, Bautista again had a promising look to tally the game-winner and put Chivas in first place in the tournament standings, but the low cross from the right side traveled off the mark of his sliding attempt, ending the match in a scoreless draw.

With a record of 1-0-2 and five points in the competition, Chivas USA will enter Saturday's placement match in sole possession of second place. The Goats will now await the results of Wednesday's later matches to determine their opponent in their tournament finale on March 1.



Major League Soccer Stories from February 26, 2014


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