USL Match Report

Friday, July 31, 2009

ROCKFORD, IL – The Chicago Fire (4-0), Parsippany SC (2-0), Red Bull New York (9-2) and Chivas USA (1-0) improved to 2-0-0 following the second day of competition in USL’s Super-20 League North American Finals at Sportscore II in Rockford, Illinois. Cincinnati United Premier (1-0) rounded out today’s winners, improving to 1-1-0 with a win over the Poway Vaqueros while D.C. United (1-1) drew with MPS, setting up a pivotal match with Parsippany tomorrow.

Men’s Results [+]

In the Chivas versus H.C. United matchup, the Southeast Division Champions created countless scoring opportunities with good combination play through the midfield, but for the second day in a row, could not find the back of the net.

Following three distinct scoring opportunities that went unfinished for H.C. United, Chivas’ backline solidified for a period of 10-15 minutes. Soon after though, the match became quite chippy, forcing the center official to hand out numerous cautions. Resultant free kicks followed, but neither team could take advantage. The final yellow card of the half changed the course of the match however, as it was the second yellow issued to one Chivas midfielder and the Southern Californians were forced to play a man down the remainder of the match.

Despite the disadvantage, Chivas and H.C. United both had good chances to finish the half up a goal but inexplicably, both goalkeepers ended the first half with their clean sheets intact.

“I told them that they needed to play with more confidence on the ball,” said Chivas USA Head Coach Carlos LLamosa during the break. “We need to keep the ball in the second half. If we end up chasing too much because we are a man down, we will be out of gas by the end of the match.”

H.C. United’s Brendan Howard had a great chance to put his side up 1-0 to begin the second half, but Chivas goalkeeper Markus Dickerson shut down the forward’s angle and deflected the ball out for a corner.

Going the other direction, Chivas’ best offensive threat, Kevin Venegas had two great individual efforts on back-to-back possessions to tilt the match back in favor of his team. H.C. battled right back with a second chance off a corner from Howard, but the well-struck header bent awkwardly around the upper-90 of the frame – a microcosm of H.C. United’s awful luck since they landed in Illinois.

Finally, with 10 minutes remaining in the contest, a Chivas corner was punched away by H.C. United goalkeeper Brad Sienkiewekicz. Looking to counter-attack, H.C. United rushed out of their own end quickly, opening the door for a Chivas defender to pounce on a 50/50 ball and play wide to Venegas. From the left flank, Venegas took two touches and crossed the ball to Cameron Roget, who was in alone on goal. Sienkiewekicz did his best to stop Roget, but the striker calmly finished low to the far post for the 1-0 win.

“Some days, that is just how this game goes,” said H.C. United Head Coach Eric Simms after the match.

One of the bright spots all day for H.C. United was the consistent play of midfielder Ben Foerstner.

“I wouldn’t say he had his best game, but he played well,” said Simms. “He has the ability to be a dynamic player. He has size and he is full of skill – one of the boys I think has a chance to be a professional.”