CARSON, Calif. - Powered by a second-minute strike from Juan Pablo Garcia, Chivas USA was able to hold off the Chicago Fire for a 1-0 win Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.
The loss ended the Fire's six-match unbeaten streak, their only other loss coming in the season opener on April 1. It was also the Fire's eighth game in their nine-game road swing to begin the season as they await the opening of their new Bridgeview Stadium.
Chivas was on the scoreboard barely 60 seconds after the opening whistle. Ante Razov took a long through pass inside the Fire penalty area and shot at goal. Fire 'keeper Zach Thornton dove and slapped the ball away with his left hand, but the rebound fell to the feet of Garcia near the penalty spot, who slammed it past Thornton before he got back on his feet.
It was the fastest goal in Chivas club history, a minute quicker than a goal scored against San Jose by Thiago Martins last April 9.
The Fire suffered another blow in the 11th minute when veteran defender Tony Sanneh gingerly walked off the pitch with an injury to his right hamstring. Sanneh showed signs of the injury three minutes earlier when a ball was played into space for him down the right flank and he pulled up to a slow jog despite the ball still being in reach. Sanneh was replaced by rookie Floyd Franks.
With the injury, Sanneh joined four other Fire starters who also are out of action for the Fire: defenders Jim Curtin (broken foot) and C.J. Brown (neck injury), and midfielders Diego Gutierrez (hamstring injury) and Justin Mapp (facial fracture).
Despite the change, the Fire were able to open up the attack during a two-minute span starting in the 14th minute where they had three consecutive opportunities on goal but failed to convert on any.
First, it was Nate Jaqua who nearly evened the score when he dribbled into the Chivas penalty area and hit a low shot that went just wide right of the goal.
Chris Rolfe then had his first look at goal in the match a minute later on the Fire's ensuing possession, taking a ball at the top of the 18-yard box, cutting to his right but firing over the crossbar.
Then in the 16th minute, Thiago muffed a one-on-one with Chivas 'keeper Preston Burpo. The speedy Brazilian took a pass near midfield and raced 40 yards unopposed toward the goal. He took a shot with his right foot 10 yards from goal that beat Burpo but also went wide right of the goal.
Jaqua had another open look at goal in the 27th minute but his header from 12 yards out was just wide left of the goal.
Chivas was the aggressor in the early stages of the second half, forcing Thornton to make several saves as well as Logan Pause breaking up a two-on-one chance between Juan Francisco Palencia and Razov.
The Fire didn't have a look at goal again until the 64th minute. Thiago sped up the middle of the field and sent a pass to Guerrero at the left corner of the Chivas penalty area. Guerrero controlled the ball and took a hard, quick shot that unfortunately went directly to the well-positioned Chivas 'keeper.
The Fire put the pressure on Chivas for the final quarter of the match. But their efforts were thwarted by a Chivas defense that rebounded after conceding five goals in their last match against the New York Red Bulls.
Rolfe nearly found the equalizer in the first minute of stoppage time. Burpo deflected a ball played into the Chivas area but the rebound went to Rolfe. He shot from eight yards but had his attempt deflected by a Chivas defender before Burpo was able to scramble back into the goalmouth and smother the ball
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
