In late March, the goal for any MLS team is simple: try and gain points while playing soccer that might or might not look good.
Chivas USA succeeded on both counts Saturday, picking up three points while playing soccer that improved as their season opener wore on.
Thus, not only did the Red-and-White start the season off on the right foot by collecting valuable points in a 2-1 win against the Colorado Rapids at The Home Depot Center, that the club did so with a good bit of soccer made it more rewarding.
"In the second half when things settled down there was actually some pretty good soccer out there," Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "The thing I'm most pleased with in the first game is that the soccer was decent in the second half."
Such a performance gives the club something to build on heading into their first road game of the season, a match at FC Dallas on Saturday. Paulo Nagamura scored both goals in the match, and helped Chivas USA to yet another season opening home victory.
"Obviously it's very important to get three points in the first game of the season, start on the right note and keep on working and keep on building from that," Nagamura said. "There are no easy games in this league and every single point that you earn every weekend is important."
Saturday's win was the fourth consecutive home opening victory for the Red-and-White, and was actually the closest game in the streak. Chivas USA had beaten Real Salt Lake by 3-0 in 2006, Toronto FC by 2-0 in 2007 and RSL by 3-1 a year ago.
By winning each home opener, Chivas USA were able to set themselves up for a good start and prevent from falling behind the conference leaders as the Red-and-White claimed playoff berths in each of the last three seasons.
It's the points gained in scrappy manner early in the season that could make a difference.
"Early on in the year, especially with home games, you want to try and take advantage of them and get three points," Marsch said. "Nobody is necessarily sharp yet but these points could come in handy down the road."
Another aspect of regular-season games that preseason friendlies and intrasquad scrimmages cannot replicate is the physical nature of the game. Colorado not only provided Chivas USA with a real-life opponent in a meaningful setting, the club presented a physical obstacle that Chivas USA met and overcame.
"It was physical, more physical than most games and I was glad that we actually rose to the challenge," Marsch said, "to make sure we were ready to dig in, bite and fight a little bit more."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
