Kljestan powers Red-and-White past TFC

Midfielder scores first two goals of year as Chivas win second straight

Sacha Kljestan scored his first goals of the season in the first starts for new signings Jesús Padilla and Maicon Santos; Jesse Marsch, Maykel Galindo and Santos recorded their first assists on the campaign; it was the first-ever MLS shutout for goalkeeper Lance Parker; and the first home win for Chivas since June 6.

The Red-and-White were lead by the outstanding play of Kljestan. The U.S. national team winger was active all night from the left flank, creating much of Chivas USA's offense with solid passing and clever off-the-ball movement. His two goals ended a regular season scoreless drought that stretched back to June 19 of last year.

The home side also saw strong performances from its two new signings, Santos and Padilla. Santos was dangerous up top for Chivas USA, causing all kinds of problems for the Toronto defenders and assisting on the second goal. Padilla was solid on the right flank, making a few good runs into the TFC area.

Chivas USA started the contest on their heels, allowing Toronto the majority of possession and pushing back deep into its own end. The visitors looked dangerous on a few crosses and some long throw-ins from Marvell Wynne, but were unable to crack a solid defensive unit that included usual backup 'keeper Parker playing in place of injured starter Zach Thornton.

The Red-and-White finally began to find some composure as the game passed the 10-minute mark. Strikers Santos and Galindo looked confident on a handful of runs and were receiving strong distribution from the Chivas USA midfield. The best chance of the first quarter-hour came when Carey Talley sent a long ball into the area from the right flank. Santos outleapt his defender to get a head on it, but his effort was collected calmly by Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

The match began to settle into a more even rhythm. Toronto was largely led by the pace and passing of striker Pablo Vitti, who was proving to be a dangerous asset. His best look at net came in the 22nd minute when he outpaced the Chivas USA defense to collect a long ball on the right flank. Only a last-minute tackle from Talley forced his shot wide of the goal.

The Red-and-White relied largely on the playmaking of Kljestan, creating a number of good chances for Galindo and Maicon. Kljestan almost got a goal himself in the 28th minute when Mariano Trujillo sent a hard cross into the Toronto area. Kljestan did well to get onto the end of it, but his effort sailed just over the crossbar.

Kljestan had another opportunity in the 32nd minute, this time making no mistake. The action began on the heels of a Carey Talley corner kick that the Toronto defense was unable to clear from the box. Jesse Marsch chased down the loose ball beyond the left post and sent it back across the goalmouth to Galindo. Galindo headed the ball down to Kljestan, who touched past Frei to put Chivas USA ahead.

Toronto FC pushed back in the closing minutes of the half. Led by the incisive passing of team captain Dwayne De Rosario, the visitors peppered the Chivas USA net with a few crosses and corner kicks, but looked a bit disjointed as they failed to finish any of their chances.

While Toronto FC enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening minutes of the second half, it was Chivas USA who struck first. Santos collected the ball just beyond the 18-yard-box in the 51st minute and fed a clever ball past the Toronto defense and into the path of Kljestan. Kljestan met the ball neatly and tucked a low, curling shot past Frei inside the far post to double the Red-and-White's lead.

The visitors, now playing with three strikers in an effort to find the back of the net, began to look ragged as they struggled to keep up with the tight passing of Chivas USA. The Red-and-White midfield corps of Marsch, Kljestan, Saragosa, and Padilla fed a number of good through balls as Chivas continued to pound on the Toronto penalty area. Chivas USA nearly took full advantage of Toronto's emphasis on offensive positioning as they sought a way back into the match. Paulo Nagamura, playing as a substitute, almost found a third goal for the Red-and-White in the 76th minute when he one-touched a Carey Talley corner kick toward the net that was deflected wide at the last minute.

Toronto pushed hard in the game's closing minutes, employing a plethora of attacking players in Chivas USA's end. De Rosario continued to provide the spark, but was unable to inspire his side to a goal.

It was the second 2-0 victory for Chivas USA in as many games, and a good confidence booster ahead of the team's midweek trip to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. Unable to advance any farther in the Eastern Conference race, Toronto FC stays on the road and West Coast next weekend, playing at Seattle Sounders FC.

Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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