Chivas USA Edge Chicago Fire, 3-2, with Late Game-Winner in Season Opener

Published on March 9, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Sunday, March 9, 2014) - Chivas USA defeated the visiting Chicago Fire 3-2 Sunday afternoon on defender Bobby Burling's game-winning tally in the 88th minute to secure three points in their season opener at the StubHub Center. The Red-and-White took a two-nil lead early in the second half on scores from Erick "Cubo" Torres and rookie Thomas McNamara, but momentarily gave up the lead when the Fire responded with a pair of goals by Benji Joya and Quincy Amarikwa.

The Rojiblancos had the better run of play throughout the first half, as they generated solid looks in their attacking third led by the tandem of Torres and McNamara - who made his professional debut in the starting lineup. Torres, a second-year striker, began getting into range and sent a first-time volley from outside the box in the 11th minute off a deflected ball, but the attempt was blocked by Chicago's back line.

As the Goats continued to look for scoring opportunities, the defense managed to prevent the Fire from getting into dangerous spots often, sending the clubs locked at zero into the half.

Chivas began peppering Chicago's goalkeeper Sean Johnson early in the second half by taking a two-goal lead in a span of three minutes beginning in the 56th. After Torres was taken down from behind inside the box, the 21-year-old forward lined up and drilled his shot past Johnson's right to give the Rojiblancos the 1-0 advantage and pick up where last season's club Golden Boot Award-winner left off.

The Goats doubled their lead when midfielder Leandro Barrera, who also made his MLS debut in the Starting-XI, sent a low cross from the left sideline to a cutting McNamara, who one-timed his shot inside the left post for his first career goal.

Chicago mounted a comeback by cutting the lead to 2-1 in the 64th minute after Joya came on as sub and capitalized on a put-back score near the right post that was initially shot from the left side of the box by midfielder Alex. The Fire evened the match at two in the 70th minute when Amarikwa brought down a high clearance attempt, turned up field and placed his shot from behind the arc and inside the right post.

Locked in a 2-2 battle with 20 minutes remaining, Chivas USA Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera brought on his second sub of the match in forward Luke Moore - who was among the six Rojiblancos making their League debut - including forward Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista, who came in a minute after Chicago's first tally. Bautista began creating plays for his teammates in the final third, and missed linking up Torres by inches with his cross from the right side of the box toward the far post, where the forward's sliding attempt came up empty.

After two narrow scoring chances missed on set pieces, the Red-and-White delivered the game-winner on Burling's header. First-year Goat Mauro Rosales played a corner kick from the right side and found the 6-foot-4 center back as he sliced through the defense to power it in from the edge of the six-yard box, giving Cabrera his first League win.

Chivas USA now return to Week 2 when they host Western Conference foe Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 4 p.m. (PT) on Sunday, March 16 at the StubHub Center. The match will mark the first leg of the three-game season series and can be heard on ESPN Deportes Radio KWKW 1330 AM. For more information and to purchase tickets for Chivas' 10th MLS season, log on to cdchivasusa.com and follow the club on Twitter and Facebook .

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 9, 2014


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