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Chivas USA Blank Real Salt Lake 1-0 at Home

October 5, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014) - Chivas USA shutout Real Salt Lake, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at the StubHub Center to clinch the season series over the defending Western Conference champs. The Rojiblancos were led by forward Felix Borja's game-winner and goalkeeper Dan Kennedy's second clean sheet against the Claret-and-Cobalt.

The Red-and-White nearly converted on a turnover by the visitors in the 14th minute when Leandro Barrera picked off a pass on the left side to then find striker Erick Torres sprinting up the right seam. With the defense closing in, Torres worked the ball along the edge of the box and slotted a pass into the area for Barrera, but the midfielder's strike was off frame.

Barrera looked to set up Borja with a short cross from the left side of the box in the 23rd minute, but the forward could not get off his side tap-in cleanly. Barrera continued to create problems for RSL's defense on the left wing, as he pushed the ball into the box and fired at goal in the 42nd minute, only to have goalkeeper Nick Rimando bat the strike away to keep the contest locked at zero heading into halftime.

Chivas took a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute after Torres got into range and attempted a chip shot over Rimando that bounced off the crossbar. Trailing the play, Borja then cut toward the loose ball and drilled his right-footed shot to the back of the net as the ball was coming down.

The Rojiblancos had a golden opportunity to double their lead in the 62nd minute when a penalty was called on RSL after Torres was brought down from behind as he made his run into the box. However, Rimando was able to deny Torres with a diving stop to his left to keep his side within one.

Chivas continued to generate dangerous plays in their attacking third and came within inches of tallying their second score in the 79th minute off a free kick. As the ball was played in from the left side, center back Bobby Burling headed the ball down toward the near post but sent it crashing off the woodwork, allowing Rimando to secure the threat. The Red-and-White brought on their final two substitutions off the bench and kept RSL's offense in check to go on to secure the zero in the back in front of a home crowd.

Chivas USA will now begin preparations to host the Colorado Rapids in the third and final leg of the season series next Saturday at the StubHub Center. The match will be televised on Time Warner Cable Deportes beginning at 7:30 p.m. (PT) and can also be heard on ESPN Deportes Radio KWKW 1330 AM. For more information follow the club on Twitter and Facebook.

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