Chivas USA Tie Montreal 1-1 to Extend Unbeaten Run to Three Straight

Published on July 7, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


MONTREAL, Canada (Sunday, July 7, 2013) - Chivas USA (3-10-5) played the Montreal Impact to a 1-1 draw in their first match ever at Stade Saputo Sunday night in the second leg of their three-game road trip. The Rojiblancos were led by Eric Avila's second-half score and with the result, the Goats extend their unbeaten run to three straight. Montreal's Patrice Bernier equalized for the home side on a penalty kick.

The Red-and-White looked to take the first-half lead and had a dangerous look at goal in the 31st minute off Josue Soto's strike from the left seam outside the box. The left back's left-footed shot was on frame and heading inside the far post, but was kept out by a diving save by Montreal's goalkeeper Troy Perkins to keep the match scoreless.

Chivas USA took the lead in the 55th minute on a wild sequence initiated by Jorge Villafaña's defensive pressure on the left sideline. The midfielder dispossessed Hassoun Camara inside the attacking half and worked the ball down the center of the field, dropping it off to Jose Correa on his left. The forward then sent a cross from the left side of the box into the short area, where the ball was momentarily cleared out by Montreal's defense but remained loose. Avila recovered the ball and got off a shot that crashed under the bottom half of the crossbar and bounced just outside the goal line and back toward him. The midfielder followed up with a left-footed strike that was powered to the back of the net for the 1-0 advantage.

Chivas USA goalkeeper and captain Dan Kennedy came up with crucial stops in the second half to keep the Red-and-White ahead. In the 60th minute the Red-and-White 'keeper denied a Marco Di Vaio header from point-blank range after getting on the end of a cross from the left wing. Kennedy again was stout in the 71st minute with his diving save of Daniele Paponi's left-footed shot near the arc that was aimed inside the right post.

The home side equalized in the 80th minute right after being awarded a penalty kick for defender Mario de Luna's tackle on Sanna Nyassi inside the edge of the left side of the box. Bernier lined up and found the back of the net toward the lower right corner for his second score of the season.

The sides continued to battle in search of a potential game-winner as each club brought on their final subs off the bench. But the clubs would have to settle for the point as the match ended locked at one apiece.

Chivas USA will conclude their three-game road trip when they continue their stay in Eastern Conference territory to battle the Philadelphia Union on Friday, July 12, beginning at 4:30 p.m. (PT) at PPL Park. The match will be the first and only meeting between the clubs during the 2013 campaign and can be heard 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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Major League Soccer Stories from July 7, 2013


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