Despite outshooting D.C. United and garnering the lion's share of clear opportunities on goal, Chivas USA fell 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at RFK Stadium to remain winless over the club's history in five meetings between the teams.
Chivas peppered the United goal with 11 shots in the second half and were provided with a brilliant individual effort from Cuban rookie Maykel Galindo - his third of the season - to pull within one. But they were unable to find an equalizer after D.C. scored a quick opener to begin the second half from last year's MLS MVP Christian Gomez and then the game-winner 17 minutes later on a cheeky Jaime Moreno penalty kick.
Despite playing without midfielder Amado Guevara, who parted ways with the club earlier in the weekend (though he was suspended anyway for the match after receiving a red card a week ago), the visiting Red-and-White outperformed United for much of the afternoon.
"We had quite a few opportunities in the first half. There was one where the ball hit the goalkeeper, [Troy] Perkins, in the head. If we take a lead there, it is a different game ... but this is a funny game," said Chivas head coach Preki.
Chivas were unable to capitalize on their early chances in the first half. United, sitting in next to last place in the Eastern Conference with only one point coming into the game, began the second half looking to score early, just as New England did against them on Thursday night in D.C.
As such, a clinical finish from Gomez gave United their first lead of the season in the 48th minute, and then second half substitute Kasali Yinka Casal was dropped just at the edge of the box to earn United a penalty, which Moreno coolly chipped straight ahead as goalkeeper Brad Guzan guessed too early, diving to his left.
"D.C. is a hard place to play," Preki said. "We knew they were under some pressure to get some points. Last week we played the Galaxy, and they needed some points. This week, D.C. needed some points."
As the visitors searched for the equalizer, a number of Chivas players found themselves with only United goalkeeper Troy Perkins to beat, but were often smothered by the 2006 MLS goalkeeper of the year, who made eight saves, denying Chivas point blank on numerous occasions. It was easily Perkins' best game of the season and a return to last season's form, and came when United needed it most.
"I thought we deserved something out of this game. I think we had the better opportunities," Preki said. "Some days things go your way, some times they don't."
Despite the loss, the Chivas players refused to hang their heads low, knowing that in previous seasons the rojiblancos had been particularly outclassed by United, losing their four encounters by a combined 9-1. A tie against United would have moved Chivas into a tie for first place with Houston and Colorado in the Western Conference, but instead they still sit only one point adrift of the league leaders.
Guzan, who made four saves on the afternoon, was disappointed to see Guevara leave, but was certain that his absence was not going to adversely affect the performance of Chivas.
"Amado is a great guy," said Guzan of the 2004 MLS MVP. "Preki wanted to go in a different direction. We wish him the best of luck with his career and we're happy to have Paulo Nagamura with us."
Nagamura joined the team on a trade with Toronto FC on Friday to partly replace Guevara, and as an injury replacement for former U.S. international defender Carlos Llamosa - who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Nagamura seamlessly fit into the midfield that created so many chances going forward in the second half, helping to orchestrate the attack with deft passes and cracking tackles.
"I am pretty happy to be here [with Chivas]. The guys welcomed me on the team and I feel very comfortable in the system that we play. I think this is a winning team," Nagamura said.
Guzan was not completely dismayed by the loss, knowing that it is still early in the season and that the team is just beginning to jell with Guevara and Llamosa gone for the season, but with newcomers Galindo and Nagamura ready to fill the void.
"We've got the pieces to the puzzle, we just have to put it together now," Guzan said. "We've got a bunch of good guys in here, a good locker room and skillful players. Next week we get Sacha [Kljestan] back [from a two-game suspension] and if we put him back into the middle of the field, I think that will be good for us and hopefully we'll get three points [next week] at Columbus."
Jordan Brown is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
