Chivas USA falls to Japan U-23

CARSON, Calif. - An injury-depleted Chivas USA side fell 4-0 today to the Beijing-bound Japanese Under-23 team in a preseason scrimmage at The Home Depot Center in Carson.

Two early goals by Hirayama Sota and Yamasaki Ryohei paved the way for the Japanese Olympic team's victory and the first preseason loss in three games for Chivas USA, which was missing 13 players due to injury. Previously, Chivas USA had won its first two preseason games against UCLA (2-0) and New York Red Bulls (1-0).

Hirayama Sota took advantage of a pass by Nagamoto Yuto and scored the first goal with a low shot past Guzan in the 7th minute. Eleven minutes after, Yamasaki Ryohei scored the second goal in a similar play. Hiraya Sota crossed the ball from the left and Yamasaki Ryohei put it away at the 18th minute. Just before the end of the first half, Yamasaki Ryohei scored his second goal of the day at the 40th minute.

Both teams made near-wholesale changes for the second half.

The visiting team scored the last goal on a corner kick taken by Terada Shinichi at the 50th minute of play. Morishige Masato, one of the eleven subs Japan had in the second half, headed the ball into Guzan's net for the fourth time.

Brad Guzan, Sasha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch and Alex Zotinca were the only Chivas USA first-team regulars from 2007 on the field at the start of the match.

Chivas USA used for the first time its 2008 home game jersey.

Chivas USA plays its next preseason scrimmage vs. D.C. United, in a battle of MLS's top regular-season teams in 2007, this Monday, Feb. 18 at 12 noon PT at The Home Depot Center's Track and Field Stadium.

The Red-and-White kicks off the 2008 Major League Soccer season at FC Dallas on March 30, and returns to Carson for the home opener on Saturday, April 5 against Real Salt Lake.

Chivas USA 0:4 Japan Under-23
MLS Preseason Exhibition - 16 February 2008 - 2:00 p.m. PT
The Home Depot Center - Carson, California

Scoring Summary:
JPN - Hirayama Sota (Nagamoto Yuto) 7
JPN - Yamasaki Ryohei (Hiraya Sota) 18
JPN - Yamasaki Ryohei 40
JPN - Morishige Masato (Terada Shinichi) 50

First Half Lineups:

Chivas USA (4-4-2): Brad Guzan, Omar Becerra, Alex Zotinca, Jorge Flores, Jim Curtin, Keith Savage, John Cunliffe, Jesse Marsch, Sasha Kljestan, Arnolfo Salazar, Atiba Harris.

Japan (4-4-2): Nishikawa Shusaku, Nagatomo Yuto, Chiba Kazuhiko, Inoha Masahiko, Ishigami Naoya, Honda Takuya, Ueda Kota, Umesaki Tsukasa, Kagawa Shinji, Yamasaki Ryohei, Hirayama Sota.

Second Half Lineups:

Chivas USA (4-4-2): Brad Guzan, Omar Becerra, Gerson Mayen, Trey Lee, Darren Spicer, Chukwudi Chinjiju, Kraig Chiles, Dan Paladini, Steven Kaufman, Eric Ebert, Justin Braun.

Chivas USA Head Coach: Preki Radosavljevic.

Japan (4-4-2): Yamamoto Kaito, Aoyama Naoaki, Morishige Masato, Tanaka Yukuke, Hosogai Haijme, Okazaki Shinji, Nakayama Hiroki, Kajiyama Yohei, Terada Shinichi, Lee Tadanari, Morishima Yasuhito.

Japan Under 23 Head Coach: Sorimachi Yasuharu.

Referee: Alejandro Mariscal.
Linesmen: Fabio Tobar, Emiliano Monje.
Weather: Sunny, 61 F

Cautions:
None

Ejections:
None.

CHIVAS USA 2008: SCHEDULE OF PRESEASON GAMES*

* Subject to change. Unless otherwise indicated, all times Pacific and all games at The Home Depot Center. For the latest information, please contact Chivas USA Communications.