CARSON, Calif. - In their recent home stretch, Chivas USA has been successful at winning close games, blowouts and everything in between.
Now, Chivas have the experience of gaining a positive result against a strong team.
Chivas came back from a deficit for the first time this season Wednesday and tied Houston Dynamo 1-1 at The Home Depot Center. Although it snapped the club's four-game home winning streak, the result served as another reminder that the team can hold its own against anybody.
"I think that a lot of players around the league would tell you they're one of the most physical teams and one of the teams that competes the hardest every game," Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley said. "I feel like when we are in an even level with them in those areas, that's a plus for us. That was good, especially when you get behind."
Dwayne De Rosario opened the scoring in the 55th minute when he beat Chivas midfielder Jesse Marsch and ripped a 20-yard rocket into the back of the net. Chivas, though, did well not to lose their composure and eventually leveled terms.
With a quarter-hour left, Palencia unleashed a rocket from the right side of the goal. Onstad saved it but left a rebound in front of the area. Marsch slid and hammered the ball into the back of an empty net.
"We had plenty of scoring chances and they had some as well," Chivas midfielder Juan Pablo Garcia said. "They're a team that's well established in this league and we were able to play toe-to-toe with them and that just gives us more and more confidence."
Chivas USA's home record now stands at 4-1-2. The club has not lost at home since April 15 and has allowed just four goals in its home games. Chivas' 2-1 win against the Galaxy was technically a road match but all five wins have come at The Home Depot Center.
Chivas, who play host to FC Dallas for the first time on Saturday, have now faced four of their five conference rivals at home and have walked away with 10 points.
Nevertheless, Bradley felt like his club should have made it an even dozen.
"I still feel like there have been a number of games where I feel like we had teams on the ropes at the end of the game and I'd like to see us now get that feeling of finishing a team off," he said.
Chivas had a late flurry on Houston's goal but Dynamo 'keeper Pat Onstad, as well as poor marksmanship by Chivas' attackers, thwarted the hosts' attempts at a victory.
In the end, the point earned was worth the effort.
"Psychologically it helps us," Garcia said. "When we play against good teams, we're able to play them well and get results. In the end, that's going to help us compete in this league. We're playing well but we're only going to continue improving."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
