For the first 17 games, everything that could have gone wrong for Chivas USA seemingly did. From untimely defensive errors and poor finishing to fitness issues and bad defending, Chivas USA more often than not have been on the receiving end of routs.
But for one night, everything went Chivas USA's way. Acres of space opened up for Chivas USA attackers, Real Salt Lake's defense was the one committing lethal errors and the Red-and-White made timely passes to open attackers inside the penalty area as Chivas USA routed RSL 5-1 on Saturday.
"We had to blow up sooner or later," Chivas USA's Antonio Martinez said. "We've been creating a lot of chances the past few games. I don't know if we're fortunate or just had the right mentality but they went in."
Martinez was one of four Chivas players who scored goals (the other was an RSL own goal). Strong finishing kept this match from finishing like so many others had, with Chivas controlling possession, producing scoring chances yet coming away with a loss.
But what set Saturday apart from other games was the cohesiveness and understanding displayed on the field.
"We were playing as a team," Matt Taylor said. "We were passing the ball around and the final pass was there. We were really concentrating on making a good final pass. Usually, we're getting to the box and the final pass isn't there and if we do get a chance, it's a bobbling ball because the pass wasn't good enough."
Saturday, Taylor made sure the final pass was on the money. Taylor was in on each of the five goals, though he only got credit for three of them. His fourth-minute scramble inside the area finished with RSL defender Brian Kamler knocking Taylor's centering pass past the goal line. In the 16th minute, Taylor's through ball to Thiago Martins resulted in a Chivas penalty kick, which Hector Cuadros calmly converted.
The second half just got better for Taylor and Chivas. In the 53rd minute, Taylor fed Martinez on the left flank, and the diminutive striker buried a shot past D.J. Countess; two minutes later, Taylor grabbed a goal of his own, scoring on a shot from just outside the area. In the 83rd minute, Taylor found Isaac Romo open eight yards out, and Romo buried the shot for the exclamation mark.
Games like these were commonplace for Taylor at UCLA, he said, but such is not the case as a professional.
"It just like every time I got the ball, I was in a dangerous situation," Taylor said. "That's one of those games you don't get to have too often."
One of the more telling signs that Saturday truly was a step in the right direction was the composure Chivas showed after the intermission. Instead of the opponent scoring an early second-half goal, it was Chivas who put the game out of reach in the first 10 minutes after the break.
Players were aware of the circumstances at halftime and were determined to have a different showing than they have had in prior games.
"Usually in the beginning of the second half, we fall apart, we lack mentality or whatever," Martinez said. "Today, we made a pact. We all stood together and ... we wanted to show everyone that we're not just a first-half team and that we can win games in the second half."
Martinez's 53rd-minute goal put Chivas up by two; Taylor's 55th-minute strike essentially sealed the victory. But also, knowing when to step up and win a game when the club needed it the most was also crucial.
"It's a combination of things but it was a good chance for us," Taylor said. "We're playing at home against the second-to-last place team and they're missing a couple of people. There were a lot of factors that came into tonight and we were lucky enough to take advantage of that tonight."
Chivas USA President and Co-Owner Antonio Cue was beaming after the match, a contrast to how games usually have finished for the Red-and-White. Saturday, Cue said the victory was important for the psyche of the players and the club in general.
"I am proud of them. It's tough after 13 losses to keep coming back but one thing I see in this club is that they still have that heart and that's important," Cue said. "I still believe, but more than that I'm happy for these guys. They deserve the win. These guys have taken a lot. It's great for them and it's great for the organization."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
