Sunday's 2-2 draw wasn't an ideal result for Chivas USA in their first-ever playoff Super Clásico against the Los Angeles Galaxy, but the team is far from throwing in the towel. The Red-and-White were pleased with their second-half effort and are ready to lay it all on the line in next weekend's return leg.
"We're OK with the result," said Sacha Kljestan. "We had chances to win and we fought hard to come back. Now it's all to play for in the second game."
Sunday's match was a rollercoaster ride for the Chivas USA faithful in attendance at The Home Depot Center. After Maicon Santos netted a quick goal in the fourth minute to take the home side ahead 1-0, the Red-and-White conceded two goals on defensive errors before finally finding an equalizer early in the second half.
"It was a fun game for the spectators, but not so much for the coaches," said Chivas USA head coach Preki. "We came out of the locker room and scored a timely goal, and after that, I don't know what to tell you. The ball bounced twice badly for us and all of a sudden we were 2-1 down and we couldn't get out of the funk. I think, mentally, we were in shock."
Chivas USA enjoyed a much better second half, getting the leveling goal in the 50th minute from Maykel Galindo.
"I thought we started the second half pretty well," said Preki. "We got another goal and were very unlucky not to score one more."
Galindo, who came on as a halftime substitute, proved to be menace to the Galaxy defense. With blistering pace and a soft touch, the Cuban native was the lighting rod for the Chivas USA offense in the second half, having a hand in almost every attack on goal.
"That's the Galindo that we know from a couple of years ago," said Preki. "We have encouraged him every day in training to show that he still has it. I know he still has it and now is the time for him to bring it on. I thought in the second half he came on and gave us a good 45 minutes and I know he has more in him."
At the other end of the pitch, the Chivas USA defense was resolute, but bad clearances from Yamith Cuesta and Maicon Santos cost the team two goals.
"Two strange goals," said defender Ante Jazic. "I don't know how to even explain it. They're just bad mistakes. That first half was a complete nightmare. We didn't play well. Those two bad goals definitely hurt us.
"We have to be more focused next weekend," he continued. "The concentration has to be higher. This is the playoffs now; we can't afford to make those mistakes in the second game. If we want to go further, we have to eliminate silly errors."
The Red-and-White defense was bolstered by the addition of Jorge Flores at left back in the second half. The Los Angeles native brought fresh legs to the pitch and was able to help stave off a potent right-sided Galaxy attack in the form of David Beckham and Chris Birchall.
"It was my turn to step up and I tried to do my best," said Flores. "The coach told me that I was going in to defend. If I could attack, then I should, but I had to be concerned with their offense first."
Sunday's 2-2 draw leaves next weekend's return match wide open. The two sides will once again meet at The Home Depot Center, although the Galaxy will be the "home team."
"We knew this series wasn't going to be decided tonight," said Preki. "It's going to be 180 minutes and maybe another 30 minutes after that. Tonight was a good game and hopefully we get a few bounces our way one of these days. Maybe that will come next Sunday."
If Chivas USA can find a victory next Sunday, it will the first time in the club's history that it has advanced past the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
"We need to have a lot of energy to start the game and be good with the ball," said Kljestan. "In the first half today, we weren't creating a lot of space for each other, we weren't moving, and we had nothing offensively in the first half. The second half was a completely different game. I think we need to bring more of what we did in the second half today to next Sunday."
Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
