Chivas USA, Quakes settle for draw

Defenses prevail in battle of Golden State rivals

Chivas USA's Atiba Harris (right) and San Jose's Nick Garcia joust for possession on Saturday. (Decolongon/Getty Images)

Though many players on both sides were changed from the last time the two teams met, the teams played a near mirror image of their earlier clash. Both matches were played without any goals on the scoreboard for most of the game.

In the previous meeting on July 5 at The Home Depot Center, Ante Razov managed to strike in the 88th minute via a stunning free kick goal to give Chivas USA a 1-0 win.

With the Western Conference standings so tight, both Chivas USA and San Jose had a chance to make a playoff push, but the points needed to be gained immediately to pull one team or the other out of the conference cellar.

Both clubs have been heading in opposite directions coming into the match. While the Earthquakes had been unbeaten in their last five matches, Chivas USA had not won a game in their last five tries. Chivas USA's last win came against the Earthquakes on July 5.

With the result the Earthquakes remain in last place in the Western Conference with nine matches remaining. However, only five points separate them from second-place Real Salt Lake. Chivas USA, meanwhile, moved into a tie for fourth place.

In the first half of play, both teams seemed a bit tentative, perhaps unwilling to risk a loss. The best chance for Chivas USA came on a free kick in the 30th minute. Razov took it, looking to repeat his wonder goal of the previous game, but his bending ball missed the near post.

Sacha Kljestan, in his first Chivas appearance since returning from Olympic and national team duty, took a threatening shot on goal in the 45th minute. Joe Cannon was able to make the save, sending the teams into the halftime break scoreless.

Several Chivas USA players had chances to be the hero for the team in the second half.

Razov hit a low shot in the 52nd minute that trickled wide of the goal. Chivas USA were enjoying the majority of the possession and creating chances, but the Quakes were able to close down the final shot to deny a goal. Jason Hernandez was especially active for the Quakes on defense, denying chances for his former Chivas USA teammates.

Chivas USA fans cheered wildly in the 73rd minute, thinking their team had scored, but Alecko Eskandarian was offside when he beat Joe Cannon with a low shot to the far post.

The Chivas USA defense was then pressed into service, as goalkeeper Zach Thornton helped turn back a flurry of Quakes chances.

Perhaps remembering the goal scored in the final moments of their earlier clash, both teams pressed hard as time wound down. They traded opportunities for the game-winner.

Razov picked off a poor backpass in the 89th minute and was into the box immediately, looking to strike. But a defender toe-poked the ball away just in time.

The Quakes then had a chance late in stoppage time. Chivas USA cleared a corner, but a throw-in deep in Chivas USA's half led to a charge in the box by Huckerby. Thornton saved his low shot, keeping the clean sheet for his team.

Andrea Canales is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.

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