Second Half

Santos failure to finish even one of their numerous chances has encouraged Preki to bring Jesse Marsch and Ante Razov both on at halftime. Chivas USA is no doubt now chasing 3 points! Still for Chivas it seems it will take something special to Oswaldo Sanchez while Santos seems to have used all their energy in the first half. The entrance of Jorge Flores in minute 63 brings an applause from the crowd and more hope that Chivas USA can create the necessary space and quality down the flank to win this match. After a suspect offsides against Santos, Chivas USA comes back and takes the lead through a wonder goal from Ante Razov who has now scored if I count correctly the last five goals the Goats have scored in all competitions.

After the Chivas goal, Santos again as they did earlier in the match begins to pile on some pressure. Dan Kennedy makes a great one handed save around minute 84, but then Santos draws a free kick and scores what appears to be a textbook goal. However referee Courtney Campbell controversially waves it off. This draws the throwing of objects on the pitch by the Santos fans, but Chivas uses this call to hold on to the victory.

First Half

This match is as open as the earlier match tonight was tactical. Some people enjoy back and forth football, but for me it indicates poor defending and sloppy midfield play. This match has been full of it, and Santos missed several golden opportunities to score first most notably on Christian Benitez’s unbelievable miss after he had dribbled past Dan Kennedy and had an open goal to shot at. the game goes back and forth with lots of opportunities and a good crowd this is an exciting match. Chivas USA is playing a largely reserve side without Jesse Marsch, Ante Razov and Claudio Suarez. Sacha Kljestan is playing what is likely to be his game for a while as he will be named to the US Olympic Squad tomorrow. This first half has been bizarre with countless chances both ways but some truly awful technical and midfield play along with two sets of defenders that seem completely lost.