Maykel Galindo scored goals early in each half and Ante Razov added an insurance goal from the penalty spot as Chivas USA routed the New York Red Bulls 3-0 at The Home Depot Center on Sunday afternoon.
With the victory, Chivas USA moved to within two points of Western Conference frontrunners Houston and can move into first place with a win against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Super Clasico on Thursday.
Chivas USA is also now unbeaten in their last five games and have dropped just one of their last eight league matches. They are also unbeaten in home matches at The Home Depot Center.
Chivas USA's match featured an early goal for the second consecutive match, but unlike Thursday's 2-2 draw with D.C. United, Chivas USA got on the scoreboard first this time around.
Razov carried the ball into the left side of the penalty area and floated a cross to Sacha Kljestan across the box. Kljestan nutmegged defender Kevin Goldthwaite as he slid in for a tackle and centered the ball to Galindo, who buried his 11th goal of the season in the back of the net.
On Thursday, Chivas USA had an early flurry but it was D.C. United's Luciano Emilio who struck first.
With a goal in their favor, Chivas USA continued to pressure. Jonathan Bornstein slipped through the Red Bulls' defense and had an open look on goal but his 17-yard shot rolled harmlessly toward Red Bulls goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus.
Chivas USA escaped unscathed from a pair of Juan Pablo Angel free kicks. Angel took a free kick from 24 yards out in the 19th minute and placed it on frame but Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan pushed the shot over the crossbar. Then, in the 21st minute Paulo Nagamura was whistled for a handball some 22 yards out. Angel took the attempt again but his shot landed on top of the net.
Razov nearly broke in alone on goal in the 35th minute when he tried to split a pair of Red Bulls defenders. He appeared to have gotten past them but could not control the ball, and Waterreus cleared the ball out of the penalty area. The ball fell to Kljestan but Waterreus recovered in time to stop his curling shot.
Second-half substitute Francis Doe made an immediate impact on the match. He raced into the penalty area and fed Wolyniec at the top of the penalty area. Wolyniec hammered a shot on goal but Guzan dived and parried the ball away.
Galindo bagged his second goal of the match in the 57th minute. Bornstein sent a long ball from his own third across the center circle. Galindo flicked the ball forward to himself and away from New York defender Seth Stammler, as the two collided. Galindo regained possession and carried the ball down the right side of the penalty area, before chipping the ball over a sliding Stammler and Waterreus.
Laurent Merlin replaced Galindo in the 62nd minute, and in the 69th minute, drew a penalty kick. Francisco Mendoza fed Merlin inside the penalty area and Jeff Parke knocked the Frenchman down from behind. Razov coolly slotted the attempt past Waterreus for his eighth goal of the season.
Incredibly, the penalty kick was the first awarded to Chivas USA this season. The last penalty kick Chivas USA took was on Oct. 7, 2006 when Claudio Suarez converted from the spot at Kansas City.
Jorge Flores made his MLS debut in the 76th minute when he replaced Mendoza. Flores tried out as part of Chivas USA's Sueno MLS competition, held during the preseason. Flores was the last remaining player from a field of 2,000 and signed a contract with Chivas USA in July.
Less than one minute into his MLS career, Flores ripped a shot from the left side of the penalty area at goal but his shot went wide of the net. Flores played as a left midfielder but can also play on the backline.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
