The Chivas USA Reserves (3-1-2, 11 pts) defeated the Kansas City Wizards Reserves (3-4-1, 10 pts) by a 3-2 scoreline this morning at Swope Park in MLS Reserve Division action, following the two clubs' dramatic shootout last night in MLS regular-season action.
Rookie forward Anthony Hamilton (U.C. Irvine) scored two goals for the Red-and-White, including the 72nd-minute winner, while former Chivas de Guadalajara midfielder Rodrigo López recorded two assists. Defender Bobby Burling also scored for Chivas USA, while Yura Movsisyan and Will John added goals for the home side. Sueño MLS Winner Jorge Flores, signed last week to a Developmental Contract by Chivas USA, made his Reserve Division debut for the Red-and-White.
Chivas USA opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute. Right midfielder Rodrigo López made a run from the center of the park into the Wizards penalty area. After winning the end line, López served the ball across to Burling who one-timed it home from close range. Kansas City answered just four minutes later through a free kick from forward Ryan Pore. Movsisyan won the restart just outside the Chivas USA penalty area to the left of the goal after attempting to cut around a defender. Pore, John and defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. all stood over the ball. John stepped over the ball and Pore sent a low, bending ball toward the penalty spot that Movsisyan ran onto and volleyed home with his left foot to level the match 1-1.
The Red-and-White went ahead 2-1 in the 40th minute through the fleet-footed Hamilton. Left back Éder Robles stepped up into the play and sent a ball ahead for Hamilton from 40 yards out. Hamilton cut inside a defender and got a slight touch to the ball that sent it past goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, who had come off his line to cut out the pass, and into the open net.
Second-half substitute Edson Elcock provided a spark for the Wizards Reserves offense shortly after entering the match in the 61st minute. Right back AJ Godbolt began the scoring play in the 68th minute, sliding to win a ball on the defensive half of the field. Godbolt's pass went straight to Elcock who stutter-stepped and then played the ball past a sliding defender. Jumping to avoid the player's legs, Elcock sprinted up the right wing and cut to his left before sending a low, early cross toward the top of the arc. Pore jumped over the ball, allowing John to settle it and lace a left-footed shot across his body and past goalkeeper Preston Burpo to the back post to tie the match 2-2.
Chivas USA, however, answered in the 72nd minute to regain a lead they would not relinquish. Kansas City had pushed forward but lost the ball in midfield. López immediately put a through ball ahead for Hamilton who ran onto the ball between two defenders and beat Kronberg inside the near post from the top of the 18-yard area for the 3-2 win.
The Chivas USA Reserves' next Reserve Division match comes Saturday, August 18 away to Toronto FC, immediately following the first team's match at BMO Field.
Kansas City Wizards Reserves 2:3 Chivas USA Reserves
MLS Reserve Division - 30 July 2007 - 9:00 a.m. CT (7:00 a.m. PT)
Swope Park - Kansas City, Missouri
Scoring Summary:
CHV - Bobby Burling (Rodrigo López) 3'
KCW - Yura Movsisyan (Ryan Pore) 7'
CHV - Anthony Hamilton (Éder Robles) 40'
KCW - Will John (Edson Elcock) 68'
CHV - Anthony Hamilton (Rodrigo López) 72'
Cautions:
CHV - Jorge Flores 35'
CHV - Kurt Morsink 65'
Chivas USA Reserves: Preston Burpo, Oscar García (Erasmo Solórzano 85), Jason Hernández, Bobby Burling, Éder Robles, Rodrigo Lopez, Orlando Perez, Desmond Brooks, Jorge Flores, John Cunliffe (David Arvizu 73), Anthony Hamilton (Justin Myers 90).
Subs Not Used: Laurent Merlin
Kansas City Wizards Reserves: Kronberg, Kraus, Lowery, Wahl, Burciaga Jr. (Elcock - 61), Watson, Morsink, John, Godbolt, Pore, Movsisyan.
Subs Not Used: Konopka, Nekuda, Pardo
Referee: Brad Clem
Assistants: Jordan Shaw, Shar Dilmaghani
Fourth Official: Phil Thies
