Chivas USA saw difficulties in their inaugural MLS season continue Wednesday night, as they lost 2-0 to Real Salt Lake in the rematch of their expansion derby at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Goals two minutes apart in the first half from Andy Williams and Seth Trembly were the difference, though Chivas USA saw a shot come off the post when the match was still tied.
The battle between the expansion brothers was hard-nosed from the outset, as Chivas USA gained the upper hand, forcing RSL into their own end.
Chivas USA challenged Real goalkeeper D.J. Countess early. In the 30th minute Orlando Perez sent a beautiful high ball to the waiting Hector Cuadros. His volley beat everyone but the far post, and the rebound fell into the grateful hands of the RSL 'keeper.
Two quick goals then put Chivas USA into a huge hole just before halftime. In the 37th minute, Chris Brown broke down the right side before finding Williams with a square pass, and he roofed a close-range blast for his first goal with RSL.
Then two minutes later Jordan Cila wriggled free out of the corner to find Trembly, who slid to tap in his first goal for RSL and double the lead.
The visitors started the second half sending everyone forward in an all-out attack. Coach Thomas Rongen added to that game plan as he took off defensive midfielder Orlando Perez for striker Isaac Romo in the 55th minute.
In the 67th minute, Armando Begines was able to turn the corner on his defender and send in a low cross that Douglas Sequeira connected with a fantastic volley. Rather than meeting the net, Sequeira's volley was deflected away by the RSL defense.
Chivas USA continued to pressure, creating many chances, though they still failed to find the goal. Thiago Martins broke through the RSL backline in the 77th minute for a certain chance on goal, but his last touch failed him as a recovering Brian Dunseth cleared the ball at the last second.
Chivas USA midfielder Francisco Gomez made his first appearance after getting injured in the first game of the season against D.C. United. But he was on the field as a substitute only two minutes before he received a yellow card for a foul on Cila.
Facing a third shutout and sixth loss in eight matches on the season, the frustration began to hit the Chivas USA players as the match wound down. Defender Alfonso Loera was sent off just before the end after he received two quick yellow cards, the last one for kicking the ball into the stands.
Chivas USA return home to take on the Western Conference leader FC Dallas on Sunday at The Home Depot Center (9:30 p.m. ET), while riding a two-match winning streak at home, Real this Saturday will entertain the Columbus Crew (9:30 p.m. ET).
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Andy Williams (Real Salt Lake)
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
CD Chivas USA (1-6-1) vs. Real Salt Lake (3-3-2)
May 18, 2005 -- Rice-Eccles Stadium
Scoring Summary:
RSL -- Andy Williams 1 (Chris Brown 1) 37
RSL -- Seth Trembly 1 (Jordan Cila 1) 39
CD Chivas USA -- Brad Guzan, Ezra Hendrickson, Alfonso Loera, Ryan Suarez (Francisco Gomez 82), Armando Begines, Douglas Sequeira, Orlando Perez (Isaac Romo 55), Ramon Ramirez, Hector Cuadros, Thiago Martins, Francisco Mendoza (Arturo Torres 68).
Substitutes Not Used: Javier Barragan, Jesus Ochoa.
TOTAL SHOTS: 5 (Thiago Martins 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 0; FOULS: 15 (Armando Begines 3, Orlando Perez 3); OFFSIDES: 2 (Douglas Sequeira 2); CORNER KICKS: 2 (Hector Cuadros 1, Ramon Ramirez 1); SAVES: 0
Real Salt Lake -- D.J. Countess, Rusty Pierce, Brian Dunseth, Eddie Pope, Nelson Akwari, Chris Brown, Clint Mathis, Brian Kamler, Seth Trembly (Jamie Watson 89), Andy Williams (Leighton O'Brien 67), Jordan Cila (Dipsy Selolwane 84).
Substitutes Not Used: Matt Behncke, Kenny Cutler, Cameron Knowles, Luke Kreamalmeyer, Jay Nolly, Evan Whitfield.
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Andy Williams 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Seth Trembly 1, Andy Williams 1); FOULS: 12 (Seth Trembly 3, Andy Williams 3); OFFSIDES: 1 (Jordan Cila 1); CORNER KICKS: 3 (Andy Williams 2); SAVES: 0
Misconduct Summary:
RSL -- Nelson Akwari (caution; Pushing, Holding) 20
CHV -- Orlando Perez (caution; Pushing, Holding) 36
RSL -- Seth Trembly (caution; Dissent) 68
CHV -- Francisco Gomez (caution; Pushing, Holding) 83
CHV -- Alfonso Loera (caution; Delaying a Restart) 92+
CHV -- Alfonso Loera (caution; Delaying a Restart) 92+
CHV -- Alfonso Loera (ejection; Second Caution) 92+
Referee: Brian Hall
Referee's Assistants: -Paul Scott; Corey Rockwell
4th Official: Feliciano Palomino
Attendance: 12,581
Time of Game: 1:51
Weather: Clear-and-74-degrees
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
