Chivas USA News Release
CARSON, CA. – This morning at 10:30 am (PT), Chivas USA played its sixth pre-season scrimmage against their front door rivals, the LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center, University Field 1. While Michael Lahoud in the 53rd minute and Cesar Romero in the 77th each scored their second goals of the pre-season, the Red-and-White lost 2-3 and now has a 2-4-0 pre-season record.
Chivas USA kept the ball and set the pace for the first 20 minutes of the match. Michael Lahoud early in the game (minute 4) on an individual play attacked from the right side of the field and blasted a shot that barely missed Galaxy's goalkeeper Bill Gaudette's left post. One minute after, Lahoud again assisted Goats' new acquisition defender James Riley who didn't have the space to finish the play. At minute 9, Midfielder Laurent Courtois had his chance and shot from the left side of the box, but Gaudette timely blocked it. At minute 13, by intercepting a pass right outside the box, Red-and-White's 2011 Golden Boot midfielder Nick LaBrocca shot and created another opportunity for his squad, unfortunately for him, Galaxy's GK dove and barely deflected the ball with his left hand.
0-1 - The first goal of the match came in the 21st minute when Galaxy's forward Adam Cristman, attacking from the left side of the pitch, assisted LA's forward Pat Noonan with the score.
0-2 - Ten minutes later Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and his defense line miscommunicated. Kennedy's pass was intercepted by Cristman who was just outside the box, attentive, and scored the second goal for the Galacticos in the 31st minute.
0-3 - Before the end of the first half, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Rafael Garcia, in an individual play inside the box, crossed to midfielder Dan Keat who pushed and placed the ball in the back of the net at the 40th minute.
1-3 – In a triangular play, Cesar Romero coming from the center of the field crossed to Laurent Courtois who assisted Michael Lahoud who confronted and beat Galaxy´s goalkeeper. After receiving the pass from Courtois, the native from Sierra Leone barely touched the ball that went slowly inside the net while he was tackled by Galaxy's GK. The referee whistled and pointed toward the center of the pitch signaling the goal in the 53rd minute.
2-3 – Ryan Smith, Jorge Villafaña, and Cesar Romero, playing from the center of the field, elaborated another triangular play that resulted on a second goal for the Red-and-White squad in the 77th minute of the match. Midfielder Smith crossed to the left to “Sueño” who crossed back to the center for Romero who scored his second goal of the Goats' pre-season.
Chivas USA next scrimmage will be held at University of San Diego's Torero Stadium against Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles (Xolos de Tijuana) from Mexico's First Division scheduled for Wednesday, February 22, at 8:00 pm, in San Diego, CA.
The Red-and-White will resume training tomorrow at 9:30 am (PT), and again Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 am (PT).
