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Chivas USA Remain Unbeaten After 1-1 Tie against FC Tucson

February 19, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


TUCSON, Ariz. - (Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014) - Chivas USA secured their first point in the opening match of the 2014 Desert Diamond Cup with a 1-1 tie against host side FC Tucson on Wednesday. After falling behind in the 54th minute, midfielder Carlos Alvarez - who came on as a sub to start the second half - delivered the equalizer five minutes later to lead the Red-and-White to the result at the Kino Sports Complex's North Stadium.

Throughout the first half, the Rojiblancos generated scoring opportunities along both seams of the pitch, led by Caleb Calvert and Bryan de la Fuente. In the 13th minute, De la Fuente had his first look at goal when he worked the ball on a solo run along the outside edge of the box and got off a strike on frame. However, FC Tucson goalkeeper Michael D'Arrigo denied the shot with his deflection.

Calvert got into range as well in the 18th and 34th mark, as he attempted to catch Tucson's defense off guard with shots from distance, but once again the local side's netminder turned away the threats and kept the young striker from getting on the scoresheet.

FC Tucson came close to opening the scoring in the 39th minute when forward Dan Antoniuk - who was among the standouts for his side throughout the contest - looked to get past the Goats' back line along the right sideline, but Chivas keeper Tim Melia was able to break up the play and keep the match locked at zero.

Returning from the break to renew the action, it was FC Tucson that was able to strike first to get on the scoreboard in the 54th minute. After Red-and-White center backs Fejiro Okiomah and Andrew Jean-Baptiste blocked a series of shots inside the box, Tucson's Martino Rapella collected a loose ball near the six-yard box and would not be denied when he found the back of the net, giving the locals the initial lead at one-nil.

The Rebaño Angelino answered back soon after in the 59th minute when Alvarez unleashed his superbly placed strike. After receiving a pass from the right sideline, the attacking midfielder turned toward goal and noticed an opening in Tucson's defense to push the ball up field and fire from outside the box and to the right of the arc past the keeper with a shot that grazed the bottom half of the crossbar.

With the matched locked at one and 30 minutes remaining in regulation, it appeared that either side could knock in the go-ahead score. Yet, the defenses were stout and did not allow a second goal to keep the result at 1-1 for good.

Chivas USA will now have two days of intensive work ahead of them before facing their next tournament opponent, MLS side New England Revolution, and eventually moving on to square off against the Colorado Rapids on Feb. 26. The Rojiblancos then conclude their participation in Tucson with a placement match on March 1.

Follow Chivas' participation during the Desert Diamond Cup and all preseason news by visiting cdchivasusa.com and via the club's social media on Twitter and Facebook .

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