Match Reports

United Falls In SuperLiga Opener 2-1 to Chivas

Omar Arellano and Gonzalo Pineda scored on either side of halftime as visiting CD Guadalajara gained a 2-1 win over DC United last night in an intense match before 22,453 raucous fans at RFK Stadium.

Luciano Emilio scored in the 76th minute to halve the Chivas lead and MLS All-time leading goal scorer Jaime Moreno had the game tying goal on his boot only to see his 78th minute penalty kick expertly saved by Chivas goalkeeper Luis Michel.

The in-form hosts were rocked a bit at the beginning of the match when the visitors, still in pre-season training, came out after United and got two shots on goal inside the first five minutes of the match. United responded in the 8th minute however when Moreno put a ball into space that Emilio ran onto an fired a shot off the left post that ricocheted off a Chivas defender and out of bounds.

Chivas continued their high pressure and continually got behind the central defensive pairing of Devon McTavish and Marc Burch. Zach Wells came off his line a number of times to cut out potentially dangerous chances. The visitors were very quick and skillful on the ball throughout the first twenty minutes of the match often leaving United defenders a step behind.

That persistence paid off in the 24th minute when striker Omar Arellano worked a one-two with midfield captain Ramon Morales that sent Arellano breaking free with only Bryan Namoff to beat. The United defender dove in too early and Arellano easily got by him and he rounded Wells for an angled shot into the empty net and send an obviouslyro-Chivas crowd into rapture.

Inexplicably though Chivas from that point forward decided to settle back into defending and counter when it was available. This gave the better conditioned United a chance to regain their footing in the match. Both teams played out the remainder of the first half without too many chances to change the scoreline.

Head coach Tom Soehn made one change at halftime bringing on the fleet Francis Doe for the inneffective Rod Dyachenko. Soehn had also moved McTavish into midfield in the first half to help solidify the numbers advantage Chivas had held to that point. United stormed out of the locker room with a renewed purpose only to see McTavish ring the post again in the 56th minute. McTavish got on the end of a Moreno pass and was fortunate to have the ball deflect into his path towards goal. McTavish beat Michel easily but did not beat the post.

Just two minutes later Chivas received perhaps their biggest break of the night as the lights went out at RFK in the 59th minute. The 19 minute delay gave the visitors a much needed rest as it was apparant United had started to dominate possession at that point.

Thirteen minutes after play started up again, Costa Rican referee Walter Queseda awarded a free kick to Chivas on what seemed to be a soft foul. Chivas midfielder Gonzalo Pineda stepped up and curled a left footed shot over the wall and just a hair under the bar past a helpless Wells to give Chivas a 2-0 lead.

United did not give up however and got themselves back into the match with a wonderful piece of individual skill from Emilio to get United back within a goal. Bryan Namoff slipped a ball to Emilio with his back to goal at the top of the 18. Chivas defender Antonio Olivera got spun like a top and Emilio blasted past the stunned Mexican and shot between the legs of Michel to bring United to 2-1.

Just two minutes later United believed they had a golden opportunity to even the match at 2-2 when Emilio was brought down in the box by Olivera after being sent in by Moreno. Queseda didn't hesitate to point to the spot and the RFK faithful were anticipating the tying goal. However Michel dove to his left and palmed away the attempt from Moreno and the score remained at 2-1. United managed a few more attempts at goal but nothing serious got through and troubled the Mexicans.

Chivas now is tied with Houston as group leaders on three points apiece. Houston defeated Atalante 4-0 in Houston last night with the visitors not even registering a shot on goal.

United will face Atalante this Tuesday evening at 8 pm at RFK and need at least a draw to stay alive in the competition.

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