On Sunday against Pachuca, Chivas USA had the better of the scoring opportunities but failed to put all but one away in a 2-1 loss. On Wednesday, it was Santos who had the bulk of the scoring chances.
This time, though, luck shined on the Red-and-White.
Ante Razov scored a goal in the 73rd minute on Chivas USA's only shot on goal as the hosts beat Santos Laguna 1-0 in a SuperLiga Group B match at The Home Depot Center. The result gives Chivas USA its first-ever win in an international club competition and also gives the team a fighting chance to advance to the semifinals in SuperLiga 2008.
Should Chivas USA beat the New England Revolution Sunday at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif., the club will advance to the tournament semifinals, regardless of what happens in the Pachuca-Santos game, as they will win myriad tiebreakers. Even a draw would be enough to move on, if Santos can defeat Pachuca.
For now, though, Chivas USA is just relieved that luck smiled on them.
"We got one shot on goal and we scored. We're going to take that. We're not going to complain," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "Sometimes things don't go your way and you lose. Tonight I thought the ball bounced our way and sometimes in this game you have to get lucky, you have to get bounces. If you don't get bounces you get nowhere."
The first bounce that went Chivas USA's way came in the 12th minute. Christian Benitez got in behind the Chivas USA defense and walked in alone on goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. With the fallen 'keeper in his wake and defender Jim Curtin lunging wildly at Benitez's path, the Ecuadorian striker ripped a shot that rattled the crossbar of the open goal.
"The most important moment came when they missed a great opportunity when they hit the crossbar," Preki said. "We got lucky on the play."
Earlier, Matias Vuoso had a goal disallowed due to an offside call. Santos finished with 12 total shots and four on goal while the hosts had nine but only put one on frame.
The first half was a display of speed by Santos Laguna. The reigning Mexican league champions threw speed burners Edgar Castillo and Francisco Torres at the Chivas USA backline and the hosts tried to stand their ground.
"I didn't feel like we got a grip of the game in the first 10-15 minutes," Preki said. "They were the better team. They were moving the ball a little bit better than us and we were a little bit nervous but I was expecting that given the fact that we changed quite a few players from the other night."
Preki made five changes from Sunday's match and left Razov and Jesse Marsch on the bench to start the match. Both players came on at halftime and instantly changed the match.
"We were way better in the second half," Preki said. "Everybody got involved and the confidence was a little higher and we were pushing the tempo."
Also, Chivas USA players had adjusted to Santos' speed and open style of play.
"The team was more compact in the second half and prepared for a counterattack and that's what happened when Razov scored," Francisco Mendoza said. "The players who came in worked and that speaks well for the club and lets everyone know that we do have deep roster."
In the 73rd minute, Sacha Kljestan was the beneficiary of a mistake by a Santos defender. Kljestan scooped up a bad clearance attempt outside of his penalty area, settled the ball and found Razov darting diagonally across the penalty area.
"We've developed a good a pretty good chemistry as of late," Razov said. "I just tried to set my guy up and get to the near post and hopefully I was able to get a piece of it and I think the defender got a piece of it to and kind of helped it find its way in. Great ball, though."
After weathering the storm in the first half, Chivas USA put their stamp on the second half and now have everything to play for on Sunday.
"We deserved it in the second half," Preki said. "Now everything is in our hands going into the last game in New England."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
