CARSON, Calif. (Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013) – Chivas USA played the Colorado Rapids to a 1-1 draw Sunday night at the StubHub Center in a match that saw three red cards issued and a blocked penalty kick. The Rojiblancos took the first-half lead on first-year Goat Carlos Alvarez’s score while Colorado’s lone goal was tallied in the second half by substitute Martin Rivero.

The Rojiblancos took the early advantage in the fifth minute after winning a possession battle along the right sideline in the attacking third, which forward Erick Torres crossed to an unmarked Alvarez outside of the box. The midfielder gathered the pass and worked the ball into position inside the arc and on top of the 18-yard line, where he fired a perfectly-placed left-footed shot into the upper left corner for his second goal of the season.

The Goats nearly doubled their lead in the 17th minute when Eric Avila got around his defender on the left sideline at midfield and pushed the ball on a solo breakaway up the left seam. As Colorado’s defense closed in on the ball, the midfielder took his shot just outside the box, but Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin was able to secure the attempt.

Goalkeeper and Red-and-White captain Dan Kennedy came up with a huge stop in the 28th minute after Colorado was awarded a penalty kick a minute earlier for defender Steven Purdy’s handball inside the box. As Deshorn Brown lined up and took the shot, Kennedy anticipated correctly by diving to his right to deny the shot and keep Chivas’ shutout intact.

Beginning in the 33rd minute, Chivas were left playing a man down after midfielder Gabriel Farfan was sent off with a straight red. Playing a goal up in the second half, the match then became a battle of 10-on-10, as Tony Cascio picked up his second yellow card for the visitors in the 49th minute.

With equal numbers once again on the pitch, Torres got into the left side of the box two minutes later with a defender on him and created space for himself to get off a strike on frame that Irwin was able to get a hand on with a diving save to his left to keep it out. Torres again got into range from nearly the same spot in the 59th minute, but Irwin again would not concede Chivas’ second score.

Playing with nine men beginning in the 63rd minute after Tristan Bowen was sent off with a straight red, Colorado pulled even at one in the 80th minute when Rivero got on the end of Chris Klute’s cross from the left sideline with a header inside the box that found the back of the net over Kennedy. Chivas tried to regroup and find the game-winner by bringing on their final two subs off the bench, but the sides had to settle for the point, as the match ended locked at 1-1.

Chivas USA return to action on Wednesday, Aug. 21, to continue their three-game homestand when they host FC Dallas in the third and final meeting of the regular-season against the Western Conference rival. Match kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcasted in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM. For more information visit cdchivasusa.com and follow us on Twitter @cdchivasusa and Facebook.com/chivasusa.

Chivas USA 1-1 Colorado Rapids

Scoring Summary
CHV – Carlos Alvarez 2 (Erick Torres 1) 5’
COL – Martin Rivero 1 (Chris Klute 7) 80’

Misconduct Summary:
CHV – Steven Purdy (yellow, hand) 27’
CHV – Gabriel Farfan (red, not visible) 33’
COL – Tony Cascio (yellow, off the ball foul) 40’
COL – Tony Cascio (yellow, red, foul) 49’
CHV – Tristan Bowen (red, spitting) 63’
CHV – Marco Delgado (yellow, time wasting) 90+1’
COL – Nathan Sturgis (yellow, foul) 90+3’

Lineups

Chivas USA
Dan Kennedy, Marco Delgado, Mario de Luna, Steven Purdy, Josue Soto (Edgar Mejia 89’), Tristan Bowen, Carlos Alvarez (Bobby Burling 83’), Carlos Borja, Gabriel Farfan, Eric Avila (Jorge Villafaña 66’), Erick Torres
HC – Jose Luis Real

Subs not used: Patrick McLain, Jaime Frias, Oswaldo Minda, Jose Manuel Rivera

Colorado Rapids
Clint Irwin, Shane O’Neill, German Mera (Vicente Sanchez 45’), Drew Moor, Chris Klute, Dillon Powers (Danny Mwanga 75’), Nathan Sturgis, Nick LaBrocca (Martin Rivero 62’), Jaime Castrillon, Tony Cascio, Deshorn Brown
HC – Oscar Pareja

Subs not used: Matt Pickens, Marvell Wynne, Anthony Wallace, Dillon Serna