The meeting of the two hottest teams in Major League Soccer left nothing settled between them, as D.C. United and Chivas USA battled to a 2-2 draw Thursday evening at The Home Depot Center.
Both teams saw winning streaks come to an end, but still took positives away. Chivas USA remained unbeaten at home while D.C. United took over sole possession of the best record in Major League Soccer.
Luciano Emilio scored his 15th and 16th goals of the season to give United a first-half lead, but Chivas came back with goals from Ante Razov and Lawson Vaughn to get the draw.
United burned more brightly at the start of the match. After withstanding an early free kick chance for Chivas USA, United struck first. The attacking triangle of Christian Gomez, Jaime Moreno and Emilio worked their magic, leaving Chivas USA defenders flailing in the wake of their flowing ball movement.
Gomez started the break from near the center circle, finding Moreno cutting through from the left side of the field. Before the defense could close down the man with the most goals in MLS history, he found the seam in the defense to put the ball through in the middle to Emilio. The league's leading goalscorer got a step on his defender, Claudio Suarez, then knocked his strike past 'keeper Brad Guzan for the opening goal.
Chivas USA fought to equalize, using quick passes through the midfield to try and spring their speedster, Maykel Galindo, for a chance on goal. However, it was their developing midfielder, Sacha Kljestan, who had one of the most dangerous opportunities. In the 18th minute his booming shot from outside tested D.C. goalkeeper Troy Perkins, who did well to parry the ball out for a corner.
United looked like they had taken firm control of the match when they scored again in the 26th minute. A pass from Bryan Namoff penetrated the defense, finding Emilio, who then passed the ball to Moreno, who this time charged in on the right side of the area.
Moreno shot for goal and Guzan couldn't hold on to the ball, which bobbled out in front of him. That was all that Emilio needed, as he followed up toward the center of the goal, and he tucked the ball into the net for the two-goal lead.
Things appeared bleak for Chivas USA, as in the club's entire history, it had never come back from two goals down to either tie or win a match.
The oddest of plays gave Chivas USA a goal and new hope in the 31st minute. A long clearing pass from Paulo Nagamura trickled to Perkins, who came outside his box to clear the ball. Yet Razov moved in front of the clearance, and the ball deflected off his rear end and headed towards goal. Realizing the danger, Perkins raced desperately after the ball, but it rolled over the line before he could reach it.
Buoyed by the fortunate turn of events, Chivas USA played with renewed vigor. Preki's players nearly claimed the equalizer on a cross by Kljestan in front of goal which Bobby Boswell tried to clear, but the ball slammed off the post, only an inch away from being an own goal.
As soon as the second period began, Chivas USA did their best to again pull level. Razov nearly got behind the defense twice, but was ruled offside. Kljestan broke through in the 53rd minute, but Perkins came off his line well to stifle his attempt. Galindo had a clear chance at the goal five minutes later, and yet put the ball over the crossbar.
In the 60th minute, however, Chivas USA would not be denied. A cross from Jonathan Bornstein found Kljestan, who dribbled in the box. Then he laid the ball back for a trailing Vaughn, who sent a hard, low shot that deflected off Clyde Simms, redirecting into the right side of the goal past a helpless Perkins.
Not content with the draw, Chivas USA battled for the victory outright. It appeared they had gained an advantage when referee Kevin Stott showed first a yellow, then a red, to D.C.'s Vanney in the 69th minute. It was a mix-up, though, as the yellow was actually Vanney's first. Marc Burch and Namoff had earned two earlier yellows.
United's composure served them well. Their dogged defense blunted the edge of Chivas USA's nearly continuous assaults and their attacking players patiently waited for opportunities to counter. United coach Tom Soehn was judicious with his subs, brigning in Brian Carroll for Moreno in the 76th minute, then Domenic Mediate for Ben Olsen in the 82nd.
They couldn't contribute to a win, but they helped United hold on for a road point against one of the best teams in the West. United now heads home for a Sunday game against the New England Revolution in a meeting of the top two teams of the Eastern Conference.
Andrea Canales is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
