Chivas USA rally for draw with Quakes

Red-and-White move to top of Western Conference table Saturday night

It was the first time since May 28 that Chivas USA had conceded more than one goal at The Home Depot Center. The Red-and-White dominated large portions of the match, but had trouble keeping up with a speedy San Jose counterattack that was led by Jamaican striker Ryan Johnson, who put the Quakes into the lead in the second half after Brandon McDonald equalized in the first.

The result moved Chivas USA to the top of the Western Conference table, but the team will rue the missed opportunity to pick up more than just a point at home. With Columbus dropping a 1-0 decision to D.C. United earlier in the evening, a win could have been a chance for the Red-and-White to make up some ground in the race for the 2009 MLS Supporters' Shield.

Chivas USA started the match on the right foot, scoring in just the seventh minute. Sacha Kljestan tackled the ball away from Arturo Alvarez in the midfield and immediately chipped a long pass over the top of the San Jose defense. Galindo outraced the chasing Earthquakes defenders to get on the end of it, calmly slipping the ball under a sliding Andrew Weber to give the home side an early lead.

The visitors pushed right back, finding the back of the net in the 21st minute. Earthquakes defender Chris Leitch lined up for a direct kick on the right side of midfield, but instead quickly passed to Shea Salinas at the top right corner of the Chivas USA box. Salinas took a touch and sent a curling cross into the box that McDonald headed into the top left corner of Zach Thornton's net to even the score at 1-1.

The Red-and-White began to regain control of the match as the half wore on. Relying on solid distribution from Kljestan and Michael Lahoud from the outside midfield spots, the strike pair of Galindo and Braun were able to make a few runs at the San Jose net. Their best chance came in the 32nd minute, when Braun found Lahoud at the top of the Earthquakes area. The young rookie took a step and ripped a line drive at the left side of the net that was only kept out by a good diving save from Andrew Weber.

Chivas USA nearly doubled their lead just before halftime. After some quick passes from Lahoud and Galindo at the top of the San Jose box, the ball fell to Kljestan. Kljestan lined up and blasted a howitzer toward the Earthquakes goal, but his effort sailed just inched over the crossbar to keep the score tied.

The Red-and-White came out firing at the start of the second 45 minutes. Relying on quick passing through the midfield and the speed of their strikers, the home side put together a few good opportunities on goal in the first 10 minutes of the half.

The best chance came by way of Galindo and Kljestan on a counterattack in the 49th minute. The two raced up the field, employing a few one-twos to get around the defense. It was Galindo who took the final shot, trying to slip a neat ball underneath Weber that was instead knocked wide by the sliding Quakes 'keeper.

While momentum seemed to be with the home side, it was the Earthquakes who found a second goal instead. Taking advantage of a direct kick on the right side of midfield, Leitch sent a high cross across the Chivas USA area that found an unmarked Johnson in the left side of the box, and he looped a header over a leaping Thornton to take his side ahead in the 58th minute.

The visitors' lead wouldn't last long. Buoyed by the additions of Maicon Santos and Jesús Padilla, Chivas USA marched back into the San Jose end. The offensive charge would pay off in the 66th minute when Kljestan found Ante Jazic on the left side of midfield. Jazic chipped a ball toward the penalty spot that looked destined for Weber's hands until Braun outleapt the Quakes goalkeeper to head the ball into the net for the equalizer.

Chivas USA continued knocking on the door as the game continued and almost found a third goal in the 70th minute when Braun flipped a neat backheel pass to Maicon Santos on the edge of the six. Santos shot quickly, but his effort was cleared away by a sliding save from Weber.

Santos got another chance just a minute later when Galindo skirted around his defender on the endline and slipped the ball inside to the penalty spot. Santos one-touched the ball toward an open net, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Pushing the entire team forward at every opportunity, the Red-and-White desperately chased a winner. The best chance came in the 90th minute when substitute Eduardo Lillingston sent a through ball to Braun that found the striker unmarked in front of the net. Braun took a step toward net but Weber charged off his line to kick the ball away.

Chivas USA now trail the Columbus Crew by four points in the race for the Supporters' Shield with a game in hand. The Red-and-White will travel to Chicago in a crucial game for the Fire's playoff hopes Thursday, then return home for a Sunday match against the Houston Dynamo. The Earthquakes conclude their season right back at The Home Depot Center next Saturday, taking on the LA Galaxy.

Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com

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