CHIVAS USA vs. CLUB SANTOS LAGUNA
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 7 p.m. PT
The Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
Group Stage - GROUP B - Match 8
REFEREE: Courtney Campbell (JAM)
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Ricardo Morgan (JAM); Rohan Thorbourne (JAM)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Baldomero Toledo (USA)
Chivas USA and Club Santos Laguna meet in the second match for each in Group B knowing a victory is imperative if either is to advance in their first SuperLiga competition.
Chivas USA
Just 72 hours removed from a spirited draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA saw Pachuca come back to claim a 2-1 win. But the rojiblancos felt they still could have come away with a result. "We felt like we left everything on the field. It was a difficult game the other night against the Galaxy, but I felt like we were maybe a step slower, not as sharp as we could have been if we didn't play that game," Chivas head coach Preki said. "But there's no excuses. It was a good game and I am disappointed that my group didn't get at least a point." Rookie goalkeeper Lance Parker was given the start in goal, as the transfer of Brad Guzan to England's Aston Villa was all but complete. "[Dan Kennedy] had a knock the other day in against the LA Galaxy in the reserve game ... (and) he wasn't ready to go," Preki said. "I thought Lance was pretty decent, he made some decent saves. For a young goalkeeper to step in and play in this kind of game I thought he was pretty decent." In the second half, Preki took off several of his starters because of tired legs. Jesse Marsch and Bobby Burling left the match in the 61st minute while Razov left the game eight minutes later. Carey Talley was subbed out in the 83rd minute. "We're still in this tournament," Razov said. "We're not out of it yet and we're going to come out strong on Wednesday."
Club Santos Laguna
Santos does not see artificial surfaces in the Mexican Primera División, and for head coach Daniel Guzmán, it was a difference in the 1-0 opening game loss to New England. "From what I saw today, it's a team that knows how to play on its own field, and it uses the field to its advantage. I think it was an even match even though we only had 10 men," Guzmán said. "We had some chances and one main error that hurt us that ended up being the goal that gave the win to the Revolution." The Guerreros struggled to impose their will on the game, especially after Juan Pablo Rodriguez was sent off. He will be suspended for the Chivas USA game. "I think it was a match where we didn't play as well as we could have. Obviously the expulsion affected us," said goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez. "We worked hard, but we ultimately weren't able to score. Unfortunately we lost, but we're not out with six more points at stake in the next two games." It was a second consecutive game on artificial turf for Santos, who defeated Real Salt Lake 4-0 in a preparatory match four days earlier. "We have to learn from this defeat and move on to the next match," said Cruz. "I think overall we played well. We're on the right path and we'll look to improve in the next match."
State of Play: Group B
The New England Revolution and Pachuca CF are coming off opening-match wins in Group B, secure in the knowledge a win on Wednesday will all but guarantee a berth in the final four. Conversely, Chivas USA and Santos Laguna all but face a must-win situation when they meet, if they are to advance to the semifinals.
