For much of Saturday's game against Houston Dynamo, Chivas USA more than held their own against the defending MLS champions.
"For 60 minutes," Chivas USA forward Ante Razov said, "we looked like the team that were the champions."
For all the positives the club can point to from that match, however, it was the final touch that let them down and kept them from leaving Texas with at least one point.
Chivas USA failed to put any of their numerous chances in the back of the net and walked away with a frustrating 1-0 loss. Days after the match, players said that although the lack of finishing is a concern, the overall output was encouraging.
"It's too early to talk about it," Chivas USA coach Preki said when asked about the lack of finishing. "Look, let me put it this way: I would be more concerned if we didn't create anything but when you create a lot of opportunities like that you feel like this team is capable of scoring goals at any moment at any time. Hopefully that will be the case."
Over both of Chivas USA's first two matches, the club has created a multitude of chances. Against Toronto FC, a pair of them found the back of the net as Chivas USA won 2-0 on goals from Razov and Sacha Kljestan.
But while the Dynamo defense provided a bit more resistance, Chivas USA attackers still found their way past the Houston backline and faced open looks at goal. Forward Maykel Galindo and defender Jonathan Bornstein each had open shots in the first half that Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad turned away.
Francisco Mendoza helped create both opportunities and said the club needed to show a bit more urgency in the final third of the field.
"It has to worry us because we have had scoring chances," Mendoza said. "We have to be aware that we need to finish them because if you don't, other teams will make you pay for them. All it takes is one mistake and you could lose."
One foul helped lead to Houston's win as Brian Ching headed in the game's only goal on a set piece in the 64th minute.
Nevertheless, Chivas USA are in the growing stages and still feeling themselves out. Galindo did well for the second consecutive match and showed speed and touch that could be an ever-present threat throughout the campaign.
With star playmaker Amado Guevara still learning his own way around the club, the offensive production figures to follow an upward path this season.
"It's only the second game of the year," Razov said. "We created a lot of chances. It would be different if we didn't create chances. Finishing and stuff, that comes with sharpness, confidence and taking that chance."
Another nuance to Chivas USA's matches is the substitution pattern first-time coach Preki will follow. Against Toronto FC, Preki took out starting forwards Razov and Galindo and replaced them with Matt Taylor and John Cunliffe at the same time late in a 1-0 match. Cunliffe went on to notch an assist on Kljestan's late strike.
In Houston, with Chivas USA down a goal with just under a quarter-hour remaining, Preki again subbed in Taylor and Cunliffe, this time in favor of Galindo and Kljestan. With a minute left in regulation, Preki took out right back Alex Zotinca and replaced him with newly-arrived forward Laurent Merlin and Chivas USA finished the match with four forwards.
"At that point, it's no different losing 5-0 or 1-0; we lost three points. At that point, we're going to take our chances and get a goal," Preki said. "I thought the guys came in and once again Merlin was actually on the field for a couple of minutes. We were just kind of throwing him in there to see if anything happens."
Overall, though, Chivas USA took solace in their play and similar efforts should generate results going forward.
"If we play hard like that, make it difficult for other teams, we'll be OK," Razov said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
