Three defensive mistakes, three Chivas USA goals. Chivas USA capitalized on lapses in the New York Red Bulls backline to cruise to a 3-0 win Sunday evening at The Home Depot Center.
"We shot ourselves in the foot," said Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena. "But give them credit, they capitalized on the mistakes that we made."
The mistakes started early as Chivas jumped out to a 1-0 lead in only the fourth minute of play. Sacha Kljestan collected a pass from Ante Razov on the right side of the penalty area before dribbling around a poor Kevin Goldthwaite defensive challenge and passing to Maykel Galindo who buried his shot past Ronald Waterreus.
After that goal, the Red Bulls were forced to chase the match the rest of the way.
"Coming here, we knew exactly what they wanted to do and, unfortunately, we played right into their game," said midfielder Dave van den Bergh. "We just gave them the game in the fourth minute like they wanted. We gave a goal away too early and that's when they're at their best, when they can defend a lead. When they have to make the game they're not so great."
In the 58th minute Galindo struck again. This time the Cuban striker beat defender Seth Stammler for a loose ball before coolly slotting a shot inside the left netting for his 12th goal of the season.
"It was all individual effort on the second goal, although you can obviously question the decision of our defender on that play but give Galindo credit," said Arena. "He worked really hard and forced the defender into making an error."
The third goal was scored from the penalty spot by Ante Razov after Jeff Parke fouled Laurent Merlin inside the area in the 70th minute.
"With young players in the back, at times, they make mistakes," said Arena. "Hopefully they get experience through these games and there's more consistency. We've had too many lapses in concentration and it hurts us. It's one of our flaws for sure."
Although the scoreboard indicated otherwise, Arena thought the Red Bulls performed well at times.
"We played pretty well in spurts," he said. "It was a lopsided score given the quality of play ... we created most of the chances in the game ... but our individual mistakes resulted in goals."
On the offensive side of the ball, the Red Bulls outshot Chivas 11-8; however, only three of those shots were put on frame. Juan Pablo Angel was held quiet for most of the match and was most dangerous on two free kicks three minutes apart midway through the first half. The first attempt was saved by Brad Guzan and the second was sent just over the crossbar.
"We had a few chances but we didn't convert them," said Angel. "It's hard to take positives from a result like this but we played well and created chances in parts of the game and we could have converted one or two of them."
With the loss, the Red Bulls are now 10 points behind Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United but seven points ahead of eighth-place Chicago Fire, who they play next week at Toyota Park.
Van den Bergh is confident that the Red Bulls will make the playoffs and does not feel a sense of urgency in the team.
"If we stand our ground and pick up the points that we can starting next week in Chicago then I'm not worried about making the playoffs," said the Dutchman. "The urgency is in Chicago, Columbus and Kansas City. Not on us."
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
