Chivas USA Notes (1-1 draw @ Colorado Rapids, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo., 8/18/2012)

 

·        COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012) – Chivas USA (7-9-6) played the Colorado Rapids (8-15-2) to a 1-1 draw Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park before a crowd of 15,679. The Rapids scored first behind an unassisted Brian Mullen shot in the first half. Chivas USA would tie the match for good in the 83rd minute on forward Juan Pablo Angel’s goal inside the short area. Tristan Bowen recorded his first assist in his first appearance of the season for the Red-and-White. Casey Townsend was also credited with an assist on the sequence. 

·        The Rojiblancos looked to push their numbers forward and attack in the final third from the opening whistle. In the ninth minute, forward Alejandro Moreno and Juan Agudelo – attacking as a midfielder – initiated a quick give-and-go sequence from the left side of the box that fooled the first Colorado defender. Agudelo, however, was unable to get off a clean shot as he was soon swarmed inside the box without space.

·       The Rapids took a one goal advantage in the 19th minute when midfielder Shalrie Joseph was unable to clear the ball cleanly from Chivas USA’s 18-yard box line. Mullan was able to collect the loose ball and put it into the back of the net for his second goal this year. The Red-and-White players wanted a foul on the play, as it appeared that Mullan had drawn too much contact on Joseph. 

·        As the first half was coming to an end the Goats worked a number of long through-balls that were just out of the reach of their intended targets. In the second half the Goats began to pepper Colorado’s 18-yard area with several dangerous centers and crosses, most notably from left back Jorge Villafaña in the 47th and 54th minutes, but were still being held scoreless.

·        In the 83rd minute Chivas USA was able to find the equalizer through two second-half subs. Bowen came on in the 61st minute and made an immediate impact, working the ball with speed and athleticism down the left seam. Bowen, making his first appearance of the season since coming off an injury, received a pass from Townsend on the left wing and worked the ball outside the left side of the box and crossed it to the cutting Angel, who tapped it in for his fourth goal of the season. 

·        Seven-plus minutes still remained in the match and the Goats continued to stay aggressive. Again Bowen worked the ball to the same area in the 90th minute and centered a dangerous pass, but could not strike twice. With the tie Chivas USA continues its solid run, as it is unbeaten in six out of the last eight matches, including three wins and now three ties.

·        Chivas USA continues its Western Conference push when it hosts Seattle Sounders FC, Saturday, Aug 25 at The Home Depot Center, for a 7:30 pm PT match. The game will broadcast on television, live on Fox Sports West in English and KWHY 22 in Spanish. For more information about the game please visit cdchivasusa.com. Follow us on Twitter @cdchivasusa and Facebook.com/chivasusa

 

THE WORD FROM THE TEAMS:

 

CHIVAS USA HEAD COACH – ROBIN FRASER:

                

On finishing the match strong: “I was really pleased with the way we finished the game. I thought early on we had pretty good intention, but just didn’t execute well enough early in the game. Certainly as a result we gave up a number of chances, but as the game wore on, certainly toward the latter stages of the game, I thought we really pushed well. We were able to create some dangerous opportunities for ourselves. Obviously we scored a very good goal, and probably could have created at least one more. Definitely pleased with the way we finished the game.”

 

On the team not buckling after a slow start: “It is a resilient group. There is no secret made of the fact that we haven’t scored a lot of goals, but the group has been resilient all year. They fight and they battle, and [goalkeeper] Dan Kennedy came up big again a couple of times. There is a lot to be said of the character of the group that they don’t buckle. I think certainly for our progress, it is important that we finish the game well, and that we finish the game on the front foot.”

 

On the addition of Shalrie Joseph: “He brings so much experience and so much leadership. He is just a quality player all around. Certainly a big help to our club to have him be a part of it.”

 

On the difference between the two halves: “I think we did a better job of possessing through the midfield and forced them back a bit. Obviously we were able to get a goal off it. One team is usually on the front foot, and one team is on the back foot, and if you can work your way to getting on the front foot, then you can create some chances and be dangerous. I thought that once we were able to get through the midfield, and really start to get behind them, I thought the game changed a bit for us at the point. I think some of the guys came in and gave us a lift. I thought Juan [Pablo Angel] won some important balls for us; Tristan Bowen certainly gave us some good contributions on the left side and obviously got the assist on the goal. He gave us a good showing.”

 

CHIVAS USA MIDFIELDER – SHALRIE JOSEPH:

                   

On his adjustment to his new club: “The transition has been smooth. The coaching staff and the guys have welcomed me with open arms, and have made my life very easy. They’ve made the game very easy, and have told me what they need from me. They’ve told me how I can help this team to get to the playoffs. It has been easy for the last couple of weeks. In terms of moving it is something I needed for my career, and it feels great coming to the west coast and competing in the Western Conference.”

 

On the difference of play between New England and Chivas USA: “The players are a little bit different in terms of the personality and the style of play. There are a lot more guys here that are comfortable on the ball. In New England we tried to play a lot of possession, but [Head Coach Robin Fraser] has given us a little bit more freedom, a little more time to express ourselves, to go out there and try to stick together as a team and work hard to express ourselves on the field.”

 

On coming into Colorado and getting a point: “It was huge. At one point there I thought we weren’t going to be able to pull it out, but the guys show a lot of heart and a lot of character to keep fighting and keep digging. Luckily we got that one from [Juan Pablo Angel] tonight. Before we tried to sit back and defend. Colorado is a great team. It is hard coming in here and playing. For us to get a point tonight, we’ll take that, and we’ll build on it for next week.”

                        

CHIVAS USA FORWARD – TRISTAN BOWEN:

 

On assisting the equalizer: “I can’t really remember how I got the ball, but I’ve been focusing on getting crosses off once I’m in the attacking third. I think the rest of the players know that once I get in that position, that the ball is coming in the box. [Juan Pablo Angel] did a great job of getting in the box, created a little space and just got the cross off. Fortunately it was a good cross and he put it in.”

 

On what it took the get the offense going in the second half: “It’s tough coming into a place like this, with the altitude. We’re still working on offensive schemes, things we need to do. We had a tough time possessing out of the back today so it was a bit tough to find ourselves in the offensive third. Once we did, I think it shows that soccer is a game where you only need one opportunity, and we put it in the back of the net when we got it.”

 

COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH – OSCAR PAREJA:

 

On the game overall and what to take away from it: “There were a lot of positive things for sure. I thought the guys performed very well. You have to have that killer instinct just to put the game away. We were creating chances and chances and then they didn’t happen. Chivas got one probably, and then they scored. So it’s disappointing because it looks like something I’ve never seen before.”

 

On Tony Cascio and Brian Mullan’s play: “I thought they did very well. I was very happy with them. I thought the effort was there and they were creating problems for the opposition. Tony brings some pace and he did well. And Brian is, you know, Brian is always giving us what we need there.”

 

On whether or not this feels like a missed opportunity: “It is. We have said that and that’s the game. Goals give you points and then we had the chances. It’s incredible that I haven’t seen this before. It’s like a movie. And then I have to give obviously credit to positive things that the players did but the frustration is there because it was a game that could have ended three or four to zero. All the respect for the opponent, obviously they tried a little harder. But I thought the game was leaning towards us and we had chances and options and defensively we played very well. And we came out with one point. That’s the way it is but it’s disappointing.”

 

COLORADO RAPIDS FORWARD – BRIAN MULLAN:

 

On the result despite dominating the game: “It seems like the story of the season this year. We go out and play well and let a goal or two in. It’s been disappointing and we haven’t finished our chances.”

 

On his goal: “Yeah, Shalrie Joseph takes a touch and I just lunge in not thinking I could get it. And fortunately it hops right to me and I don’t think I could have missed it.”

 

On the team morale: “I’m sure everybody’s down. It’s a tough result to come away with one point when we should have three. So we’re not very happy. We’re out there to win and tonight it just wasn’t there for us.”

 

On facing San Jose Earthquakes next week: “It’s a team who’s doing well. We dominated them here and the same thing happened again. We have to solve the problems and put our chances in.”

 

COLORADO RAPIDS MIDFIELDER – JEFF LARENTOWICZ:

On the feeling of tonight’s loss: “It’s tough. Every game presents itself with an instance where we have to stand up to pressure or stand up to opportunities for the other team. Tonight it came and it bit us. I think it was probably one of their only opportunities and they capitalized on it so it’s difficult.”

 

Offense: “We had some opportunities. I think Dan Kennedy made some good saves. The one on Omar [Cummings] is a really good save. And it’s something that’s happened for several weeks now where we’re not putting teams away so it’s frustrating. Same old story.”

 

Chivas USA (7-9-6) vs. Colorado Rapids (8-15-2)

Aug 18, 2012 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

 

Scoring Summary:

COL – Brian Mullan 2 (unassisted) 19

CHV – Juan Pablo Angel 4 (Tristan Bowen 1, Casey Townsend 1) 83  

 

Chivas USA – Dan Kennedy, James Riley, Danny Califf, John Valencia, Jorge Villafaña, Ben Zemanski (Laurant Courtois 76), Shalrie Joseph, Oswaldo Minda, Juan Agudelo (Juan Pablo Angel 72), Alejandro Moreno (Tristan Bowen 61), Casey Townsend

Subs not used: Tim Melia, Bobby Burling, Nick LaBrocca, Ante Jazic

 

COL – Matt Pickens, Hunter Freeman, Marvell Wynne, Luis Zapata, Drew Moor, Joseph Nane (Wells Thompson 75), Brian Mullan, Jeff Larentowicz, Martin Rivero, Tony Cascio (Jamie Smith 82), Omar Cummings (Conor Casey 62)

Subs not used: Andre Akpan, Stew Ceus, Tyrone Marshall, Tyson Wahl

 

Misconduct Summary:

CHV – Shalrie Joseph (yellow, foul) 78

CHV – Oswaldo Minda (yellow, foul) 80

Referee: Ramon Hernandez Referee’s Assistants: Paul Scott, Eric Proctor 4th Official: Mark Declouet

Attendance: 15,679 Time of Game: 1:53 Weather: Partly cloudy, 79 degrees

cdchivasusa.com

 

About Chivas USA

Founded in 2004, Los Angeles-based Club Deportivo Chivas USA has achieved remarkable success in seven full seasons in Major League Soccer. From 2006-2009, the Mexican-owned club qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in four consecutive seasons, to the delight of its passionate supporters. In addition, Chivas USA’s innovative grassroots programs demonstrate its deep commitment to the Southern California community, while the club’s youth teams and Soccer Academies offer unprecedented opportunities to the region’s best young talent. For more information on Chivas USA, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.