Atiba Harris scored deep in stoppage time as Chivas USA pulled out a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Toronto FC at The Home Depot Center on Saturday.
The win was just the second time in club history Chivas USA overcame a deficit to win an MLS match.
Toronto FC meanwhile continued its poor play away from home as the Canadians fell to 2-9-0 in regular-season games played in the United States.
For Toronto FC, the match marked the first time both Amado Guevara and Carlos Ruiz played together. Ruiz, who joined Toronto a week prior from the LA Galaxy, donned the number 25 as he and former Chivas USA midfielder Guevara began their potential stellar partnership with the Canadian side.
Chivas USA, meanwhile, fielded a pair of former Toronto players as Alecko Eskandarian and Paulo Nagamura started for the hosts. Nagamura has played all but two games for Chivas USA while Eskandarian recently returned after a long battle with a groin injury and appeared for just the fourth time for his newest club.
It was Atiba Harris who had the game's first scoring opportunity. In the 12th minute, Razov and Kljestan worked some passes together in the middle of the field. Kljestan found the ball at the top of the area and raced into the box. He slipped a pass to Harris, who ripped a shot on goal. Toronto FC 'keeper Greg Sutton, though, dived and parried the ball across the end line.
On the quarter hour, Kljestan tackled Guevara from behind. Kljestan was booked for the challenge.
Toronto FC captain Brennan got the game's first goal in the 19th minute. Rohan Ricketts knocked a ball to Brennan, who beat Chivas USA right back Lawson Vaughn on the right side of the penalty area. Brennan settled the ball and ripped a shot past Zach Thornton and into the back of the net.
Not one minute later, Eskandarian nabbed his second goal for Chivas USA. Razov knocked a ball to Eskandarian , who slipped a shot under Sutton's legs and into the back of the net. Eskandarian's only other goal for Chivas USA, ironically, also came against another former club. He scored on April 5 against Real Salt Lake in a 3-1 victory.
Chad Barrett got a gift ball in the 23rd minute. Jonathan Bornstein tried to knock a ball back to defender Bobby Burling but the ball skipped away form Burling and landed at Barrett's feet. Barrett dribbled into the area and fired a shot on an empty goal but hit the outside of the net. It was nearly a carbon copy of a shot he had against Chivas USA in July when Barrett was a member of the Chicago Fire. Barrett had then-Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan beat but placed a shot on nearly the same spot of the outside of the net.
Eskandarian missed a change to get his second goal of the match in the 25th minute. Kljestan, Razov and Eskandarian had a three-on-one counterattack but Eskandarian could not place a shot on frame from 20 yards. His attempt went well wide of the left post.
Barrett nearly atoned for his earlier miss in the 32nd minute. He ripped a shot on goal from 20 yards out and forced Thornton to make a diving save.
Eskandarian had yet another opportunity to score goal number two of the match. In the 38th minute, Eskandarian walked into the penalty area alone on Sutton but he slammed a ball off the 'keeper. On the ensuing corner kick, Harris nearly had a dangerous opportunity but his header rattled off a Toronto defender.
The second half opened without much life from either side. Razov had a brief look at goal early on but sent a shot well over the crossbar. It wasn't until the 59th minute that one side had a clear chance. Kljestan sent a free kick into the penalty area. Harris had a closer-range header but pushed it well over the crossbar.
Barrett had a chance to put Toronto FC ahead shortly after. In the 62nd minute, Barrett walked in on Thornton alone. Barrett beat Chivas USA's defense and ran onto a through ball. With Thornton charging toward the top of the area, Barrett tried to place his shot between Thornton's legs but the towering goalkeeper turned Barrett away.
A few minutes later, Toronto FC coach John Carver pulled Barrett in favor of 17-year-old Abdus Ibrahim.
Chivas USA coach Preki made his first substitution in the 66th minute when he inserted Justin Braun in place of Eskandarian. Braun nearly sprang a go-ahead counterattack. He won a ball near the middle of the field and sent a pass to Harris down the right flank. Harris beat Toronto FC's defense and raced into the penalty area. He tried to pick out Razov but a Toronto defender cleared the ball.
Braun nearly had an opportunity to give Chivas USA a potential late game-winner. In the 88th minute, Braun ran into the penalty area alone on Sutton but the Toronto goalkeeper did well to dive and make a save.
In stoppage time, Harris ran onto a ball off a corner kick and knocked it on goal. The ball fell to Sutton who could not stop the ball and saw it slip through his hands and across the goal line.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
