Coming from a goal behind in the waning seconds of stoppage time to earn a 3-3 draw on the road to Real Salt Lake would seem to be a positive result for Chivas USA.
Playing in their 10th game in a month, the Red-and-White arrived in Salt Lake before heading into the All-Star break looking to take a valuable three points from the league's bottom team, which has been stricken with injuries.
"The team's pretty frustrated because we think we can be a good team, but then again we keep making the same mistakes over and over," said Ante Razov. "Tonight we feel like this is a team, with their injuries and what not, that should have beat. This feels like points lost."
Although it felt like points lost, the goals were plentiful and started early as Razov put the Red-and-White into the lead only 90 seconds into the match. After letting a soft chip from Juan Francisco Palencia take a bounce in front of him Razov volleyed home his league-leading 12th goal of the year.
The lead only lasted until the 33rd minute when Jeff Cunningham leveled for RSL, then Carey Talley put the home side up in the 55th minute on a fantastic strike from nearly 40 yards out into the upper corner that Preston Burpo could do nothing to save.
"The game got wide open and we gave too much space," said Chivas head coach Bob Bradley.
The RSL lead only last a few minutes before Jonathan Bornstein whipped in a shot from 20 yards that flew past Real goalkeeper Scott Garlick and into the upper corner.
It was the third goal in two games for the first-year professional out of UCLA -- a stat made only more impressive due to the fact that he plays left back for Chivas.
Bornstein said that it felt great to able to move up from defense and to capitalize on the chances he has had recently in front of goal. The rookie, who leads the team for minutes played, also saw the positive in coming from behind for the tie.
"You're always happy if you're down and can get back," said Bornstein.
After Bornstein's goal Andy Williams lined up a powerful strike from outside the box to again put Chivas in a hole in the 74th minute. It looked as though the lead would hold, but the Red-and-White came away with a point on a goal from Claudio Suarez four minutes into injury time.
With their busiest month behind them, Chivas are taking a four-day break from training during the All-Star break to rest and regroup.
Following the game the team took an extra 15 minutes, in addition to the regular 10 minutes, before allowing anyone into the locker room. When asked about what went on during the extended team meeting Bradley was brief and very general.
"Just that we had a few days off and it was important for us as a group to talk a little bit before the days off," said Bradley.
Razov, like many of his teammates. was frustrated and knows that the break will also be good for his team.
"It certainly feels like a game lost to us more than anything," said Razov. "We've put ourselves in tough situations, we get a lead and then we go to sleep and stop doing what got us there. We've done that a few times this year."
He said the congested schedule could be a reason for the lapses, but it's not a very good one.
"It's not an excuse," said Razov. "You want to be a good team and every team has to go through it. We've done OK through that stretch but we need to come back and regroup and be fresher and be a better team."
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
