One step at a time.
Chivas USA fared a lot better this time in its second match under manager Jose Luis Real on Saturday night against the New England Revolution. The Goats had a lead to work with for the first time in two months and were in position to win its first match in three months, a 3-1 decision against Vancouver back on March 30.
However, just like that, the three points ended up becoming just one point in the end. Laurent Courtois’ goal in the 18th minute was canceled out by Chad Barrett’s equalizer with just two minutes plus stoppage time to go, and the two teams eventually settled for a 1-1 draw at the Stubhub Center.
“A tie’s a good step forward,” Chivas USA keeper Dan Kennedy said. “It was a real building block.”
The result, while still a little hard to swallow as it let a potential win get away from them, had to be somewhat of a relief for the Goats, as it snapped its seven-match losing streak and got its first point in MLS competition since a 2-2 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes back on April 27.
“All in all, to take into consideration in three, four weeks now we’ve completely remodeled this team in terms of formation and tactics,” Kennedy said. “You can tell that we’re adjusting. We’re improving on our tactics.”
Chivas put themselves in a position it had not found themselves in quite a long time; playing with a lead. The Goats staked that position in the 18th minute. A long range volley by defender Josue Soto was parried away by keeper Bobby Shuttlesworth. Chivas though kept the ball in the Revolution’s half of the field and eventually worked it back towards the penalty area, striker Tristan Bowen left a ball for midfielder Laurent Courtois who launched a volley just outside the box that beat Shuttlesworth into the back net at the near post area.
“For me, I was happy with the first half,” Real said. “We had the game, and we let it go.”
Chivas USA maintained the lead late into the second half, and seemed headed for its first win since March 30, but New England got the equalizer in the 88th minute. The Revolution slowly built up its attack, then midfielder Diego Fagundez crossed a ball into the penalty area towards the left post, striker Chad Barrett, who had come on as a substitute in the 83rd minute managed to sneak in behind Chivas midfielder Marco Delgado and touched a ball that crossed the goal line right before Marco De Luna cleared the ball out of the box. Referee Elias Bazakos and the linesman conferred that the ball did cross the goal line right before De Luna’s clearance.
“The guy was pretty tight to me,” Barrett said. “I just wanted to put it on goal. I really couldn’t tell you what happened. I think it hit me, hit the post, maybe hit me again (or) went through his legs. I have no idea, but hey, I’ll take credit for it.”
Chivas USA will try again for an MLS win on the Fourth of July, as it travels to the Lone Star State to face FC Dallas. New England will have its hands full on July 6, as they face a San Jose Earthquakes squad that will surely be riding a tidal wave of momentum following its 3-2 comeback win against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
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