Chivas USA climbed back into lone possession of the top spot of the Western Conference with a 3-2 win against Real Salt Lake on Saturday evening at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
John Cunliffe, making his first start since July 4, scored two goals, and Paulo Nagamura added a long-range bomb to give Chivas their first win ever at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Chris Brown and Robbie Findley scored for Real Salt Lake.
The win puts the Red-and-White three points clear of Houston Dynamo, who were in first place based on goal difference heading into the match. It was also the "game-in-hand" for Chivas, who now have three games remaining on the season, same as Dynamo, though Houston plays Sunday at home against Los Angeles.
An early attack from Salt Lake was averted by the quick reactions of Chivas USA center back Shavar Thomas. A high ball into the Chivas penalty area was abruptly put back in front of the goal on a high leaping header from Findley. But, before any other RSL player could latch onto the end of Findley's centering pass, Thomas rushed in and headed the ball over the endline and out of danger.
The next surge from Salt Lake reached Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Chris Brown received a through ball in traffic, and with a pair of Red-and-White defenders close on him, Brown flicked a shot with the outside of his boot right into the steady hands of Guzan.
In the 21st minute the visitors had their first honest effort on goal. Laurent Merlin floated a ball just over the bar from a narrow angle. The shot was close enough to get Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz scrambling, and signs of things to come from Merlin.
Merlin and Cunliffe were starting in place of the first-choice Chivas strike pair of Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo, who had 23 goals between them on the season, and the new-look partnership combined for the first goal in the next minute.
After working free in the right corner, the French striker sent a low drive just in front of the goalmouth where Cunliffe stepped in front of Seitz for an easy tap-in with his thigh at the near post.
As Salt Lake pressed for an equalizer Guzan's involvement in the match increased. In the 25th minute, Guzan out-raced RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman to a loose ball just outside the area, launching the stray ball high into the seats.
Guzan then did well to save a blast from Fabian Espindola in the 26th minute. The Argentinean striker uncorked a rocket that forced a diving effort from Guzan to keep it out of the net and punch it away from danger.
Beckerman was stifled by Guzan again in the 29th minute. Espindola carried the ball to the endline and then cut a rolling cross back to Beckerman at the top of the penalty area. Beckerman hit a first-time shot that took a deflection and was still saved by a sprawled-out Guzan.
Merlin was back to slicing through the Salt Lake defense in the 36th minute. The young striker spun off of RSL defender Chris Lancos and rifled a shot right at Seitz, which the RSL 'keeper held despite the wet conditions.
The home side drew level in the 52nd minute on a strike from Chris Brown. A long ball was played up the right touchline and headed into the center by Fabian Espindola. Brown raced past a Chivas defender and sent a low shot under Guzan inside the left post.
The stalemate didn't last very long as Cunliffe struck again for the Red-and-White just two minutes later. Sacha Kljestan sent a through ball from near midfield for Cunliffe to race onto, and he out-paced Ritchie Kotschau to pound home his third goal of the year.
Then, out of nowhere, Nagamura doubled the Chivas lead in the 58th minute. Some 35 yards out from goal, he ripped a long-range bomb that sailed over a leaping Seitz and just under the crossbar into the goal.
The Chivas goalkeeper continued to stonewall RSL's attempts to cut away his team's lead. In the 62nd minute Beckerman struck a volley from 10 yards that bounced through a crowd of players. Guzan was positioned perfectly to make the save.
But, Guzan couldn't save everything. Findley cut the Chivas lead in half with a goal in the 66th minute. Andy Williams skipped a cross into the path of a streaking Findley who knocked in the second Salt Lake goal with a swift touch at the back post.
Luck also benefited Chivas in keeping their lead. In the 89th minute substitute Yura Movsisyan skipped through a couple of tackles in the area and fired a laser that flew past Guzan, but came off the crossbar -- and right back to the arms of the grateful goalkeeper.
With the win, Chivas also moved to within three points of D.C. United in the race for the Supporters' Shield, where they also hold a game in hand. Chivas USA play two games next week, beginning with an MLS Primetime Thursday matchup at home with FC Dallas, while Real finish their home schedule against Houston Dynamo next Saturday.
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
