After a rough start, Pachuca settled into their more familiar rhythm against Chivas USA in the SuperLiga 2008 opener for both clubs. Bruno Marioni and Gabriel Caballero scored first-half goals to erase an early deficit in a 2-1 victory at The Home Depot Center.
Thus, los Tuzos sit tied with the New England Revolution atop Group B with three points. Whether they deserved those points or not, however, is another matter.
"It's difficult to say if we deserved the victory or not," Pachuca coach Enrique Meza said. "There was one moment of disorder in which they scored but I think after that we sort of settled down and started to play the way we wanted to and in the end it bore fruit."
Ante Razov scored in the 16th minute but Chivas USA also had a pair of near-misses. Sacha Kljestan hit the crossbar in the third minute while Claudio Suarez knocked a penalty kick off the post six minutes later.
Combined with Razov's goal, Pachuca's defense showed the rust and disarray of a club playing through the early stages of its preseason.
"In soccer, you don't necessarily get the results you deserve, you just get the results," Caballero said. "They played very well in the first 15 minutes. Up until the first goal, they were superior as we couldn't find our game."
But the club had a bit of luck shine their way. Francisco Mendoza was called for a foul which Chivas USA coaches and players said should not have been called. Gerardo Rodriguez took the set piece and knocked it to the front of the goal where Marioni banged it into the back of the net.
For Marioni, the goal was significant. It was his first goal in an official match with his new club as the former Atlas striker joined Pachuca in the offseason.
"Everywhere you are at you need to try and show well for yourself and I'm just trying to do that here," Marioni said.
Pachuca battled and grew in confidence after the goal. While Chivas USA tried to continue their own early energy, Pachuca's defense was much more solid afterward.
Leo Lopez, who was whistled for a handball in the eighth minute to set up the spot kick, and Julio Manzur played aggressively in the center of Pachuca's backline while the midfield did well to pressure Chivas USA's own defense.
That paid off for the visitors just before halftime. Again Rodriguez did the damage as he found Caballero inside the penalty area in the 42nd minute. The Pachuca veteran did well to bury his opportunity with a glancing header.
"I'm happy and just tried to contribute as always. It felt to contribute with the goal but the most important thing was to get the victory," Caballero said. "It's the first game and it's always good to start off on the right foot."
Chivas USA played a league match at The Home Depot Center on Thursday and consequently removed several key players down the stretch. Pachuca, meanwhile, also made their full allotment of four substitutes but were able to maintain their order and hold off the hosts.
For Meza, the victory was significant because it came against a club from a league that is increasingly more difficult to defeat.
"I think there is a good level here. A lot of things are said but the soccer is quick and strong here," Meza said. "You hear the same things all the time but I think it's difficult to win here."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
