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Chivas USA and New Zealand MNT Play to Scoreless Draw

October 12, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013) - Chivas USA and the New Zealand Men's National Team played to a scoreless draw Saturday afternoon at the StubHub Center's Track and Field Stadium in an international friendly.

The All Whites had the better run of play early in the first half, as they got into dangerous spots inside the box before the 10-minute mark. Forward Rory Fallon had the match's first promising look at opening the score sheet with his tap-in attempt near the short area that was played in from the right side. Chivas goalkeeper Tim Melia, however, faced the attack and sent the chip shot over the crossbar with a leaping save. Fallon again had a solid look at goal in the 28th minute when he got off a strike from the left wing, but the attempt was deflected by the Red-and-White defense.

The Rojiblancos began to shift the momentum of the game in their favor in the latter part of the opening half. In the 36th minute Eric Avila worked the ball on the left wing and threaded a pass to Erick Torres inside the box, but the forward could not beat goalkeeper Tamati Williams to the entry. Torres was later able to bring down a long ball over the top off his chest in the 40th minute and fire a right-footed shot wide left of the far post. A minute later, Torres looked to set up Avila from the left side of the box by laying off a short pass to the midfielder who was positioned inside the arc. Avila squared up to goal and got off a shot on frame that Williams was able to collect.

Chivas carried over their momentum to the beginning of the second half and had a golden look at taking the initial lead when New Zealand was called for a hand ball in the box in the 53rd minute. Torres lined up to take the penalty kick but could not capitalized on the opportunity, as he drove his shot over the crossbar to keep the match locked at zero.

In the 61st minute, Melia again came up with a big save to maintain the clean sheet. The keeper dove to his right from his line to turn away Fallon's header from behind the short area after getting on the end of a cross from the left side by Tony Lochhead.

Head Coach Jose Luis Real brought on a trio of forwards to enter the friendly at the same time to give the Rojiblancos a different look up top and continued to generate chances in the attacking third. With Matthew Fondy attacking as the lone striker and Julio Morales and Tristan Bowen creating plays on the left and right wing, respectively, the Goats possessed the ball well throughout the second half. Neither the home side nor the All Whites, however, could tally the game-winner and the friendly ended locked in a scoreless tie.

Chivas USA will be off from League competition next weekend and will return to face Real Salt Lake in their final road match of the season on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Western Conference game will mark the third and final meeting of the series and will be televised beginning at 6 p.m. (PT) in English on KDOC-TV and in Spanish on KWHY Súper 22. Game action can also be followed in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM. For more information visit cdchivasusa.com and follow us on Twitter @cdchivasusa and Facebook.com/chivasusa .

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