Ante Razov scored in the 73rd minute as Chivas USA beat Santos Laguna 1-0 at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday for their first victory in SuperLiga 2008.
However, Chivas USA still might need a victory against the New England Revolution on Sunday to secure a spot in the second round. Their passage might also depend on the result of the other Group B game between Pachuca and Santos, also on Sunday.
The reigning Mexican league champions are also not eliminated but would need a convincing victory against Pachuca and a Revolution win against Chivas USA if they are to advance to the semifinals.
Chivas USA wasted no time in putting their latest acquisition on the field. Roberto Nurse officially joined the club on Tuesday and received the paperwork necessary to play earlier Wednesday. Nurse, a native of Mexico City, started as essentially the lone striker.
In total, Chivas USA coach Preki made five changes to the starting lineup from Sunday. Dan Kennedy replaced Lance Parker in goal as Kennedy was a scratch against Pachuca due to injury. Shavar Thomas and Jim Curtin started in central defense while Kraig Chiles replaced Jesse Marsch in central midfield.
Santos, meanwhile, made just two changes to the squad that started in the 1-0 loss to New England: Christian Benitez replaced Oribe Peralta up front while former Chivas USA midfielder Johnnie Garcia replaced Juan Pablo Rodriguez, who was sent off against the Revolution.
Jonathan Bornstein had Chivas USA's first look at goal but sent a 20-yard attempt well over the crossbar. Minutes later, Nurse won a corner kick after a blazing run inside the Santos penalty area. Chiles sent the ball well over his teammates' heads, though.
Christian Benitez had an open goal in front of him in the 12th minute but could not open the scoring. Benitez took the ball after a pass from the back cleared Chivas USA's defense. Benitez walked into the penalty area, forced Kennedy to dive and skirted around the fallen 'keeper. Benitez ripped a shot but saw it carom off the crossbar and to Shavar Thomas.
Matias Vuoso, meanwhile, tested Kennedy from close range in the 26th minute but Kennedy was in good position to stop Vuoso, who fired a shot from 10 yards out on the right side.
Bornstein, meanwhile, tried his luck twice more on Santos goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez but sent one shot over the crossbar and the other hopelessly wide.
Kennedy turned away Edgar Castillo in the 40th minute as the U.S.-born left back fired a shot on goal that Kennedy did well to turn away.
The first half, though, was slowed down by several rough challenges as players from either side tried to slow down the speedy opposition. Paulo Nagamura was booked after a challenge on Fernando Arce while Francisco Torres saw yellow for taking out Nagamura with a rough slide tackle minutes later.
Chivas USA made a pair of moves at halftime as Preki took out Nurse and Atiba Harris in favor of Razov and Jesse Marsch. The MLS Originals each were subbed out midway through the second half on Sunday and were given just 45 minutes on Wednesday in an apparent effort to manage their respective fitness levels.
Jorge Flores, meanwhile, entered the match in the 62nd minute in place of Chiles. Flores picked up a slight ankle injury that kept him from dressing for the Galaxy match a week ago. Flores was an unused substitute against Pachuca but received the chance to play on Wednesday as his ankle was likely fit enough to last at least a half hour.
Chivas USA finally broke through in the 73rd minute. Kljestan picked up a bad clearance attempt by a Santos defender, settled the ball and sent a cross to the front of the goal. Razov hit a perfect glancing header past Sanchez and inside the left-hand post.
For Razov, the goal was his fifth all-time in international club competitions. Razov scored three goals as a member of the Chicago Fire in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and accounted for Chivas USA's lone goal on Sunday.
Kennedy turned Vuoso away in the 83rd minute with a diving effort. Vuoso fired a shot on goal from just inside the penalty area but Kennedy extended and parried the ball away.
Santos had a late equalizer called back due to an offside call.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
