CARSON, Calif. -- Chivas USA made sure to prevent another club record-setting winless streak, capping their three-game home stand with a 3-2 victory against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center.
Erick “Cubo” Torres cashed in a rebound to give the Rojiblancos a two-goal lead in the 81st minute before Dax McCarty got the Red Bulls back to within one five minutes later. Bobby Burling cleared a dangerous shot from Tim Cahill in stoppage time to preserve the win.
The Goats (5-14-6) snapped their four-match winless drought, this after suffering a string of 14 earlier this season. New York remained winless on the road against Western Conference teams and, with the defeat, have dropped seven of 14 overall away from home this season.
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Chivas USA forward Julio Morales broke a scoreless tie in the 30th minute with a left-footed strike from the top that New York goalkeeper Luis Robles couldn’t reach. It was his first professional goal.
The advantage was short-lived, though. New York responded immediately when Cahill deposited Thierry Henry’s corner kick with a header. It was Cahill’s seventh goal of the season, tying him with Henry and Fabian Espindola for the team lead.
The Red Bulls (11-9-6) could have easily gone ahead early, but Dan Kennedy denied Espindola twice. In the eighth minute, Espindola failed to capitalize on a slight breakaway opportunity and Kennedy stopped him again in the 21st minute following a feed from Henry. Moments later, Chivas USA right back Marco Delgado cleared away a dangerous ball from the line with his knee.
Torres, who was brought down in the box by Ibrahim Sekagya just prior to the break, scored on a penalty kick to hand the Goats the 2-1 lead.
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Morales nearly had his second of the afternoon in the 48th minute, but Robles punched away his bicycle kick attempt. The Rojiblancos almost extended their lead again in the 69th minute, but Torres’s flick bounced off the post.
This was the only meeting of the year between the two sides. The last Chivas USA victory against New York came May 15, 2011.
Up next for the Red Bulls is a home matchup against D.C. United on Saturday, while Chivas USA hit the road to face the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sept. 1.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/erick-torres" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Erick Torres</span></strong></a> |
Driving force for Chivas USA. Gave Red Bulls fits all afternoon with two goals, and nearly had three. |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/julio-morales" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Julio Morales</span></strong></a> |
Just as pesky as Torres. Inspired outing and could be a sign of things to come for the Goats. |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/thierry-henry" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size:12px;">Thierry Henry</span></strong></a> |
The shank wasn't very Thierry-like, but two assists on the day and should have had a third. |
