CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy fell to Chivas USA 4-2 in their MLS Reserve League opener on Monday afternoon at The Home Depot Center. The game was scoreless at the half before Chivas USA, who were also playing their first Reserve League game of the season, scored three times in a six-minute span early in the second half to take control of the match before holding on for the victory.
Cesar Romero scored three times for Chivas USA, who were the visitors on the afternoon, while Miller Bolaños added a goal and Blair Gavin had two assists. Chad Barrett scored both goals for the Galaxy with Adam Cristman collecting a pair of assists.
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After a scoreless first half, Chivas USA scored three times in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Bolaños scored the first of those in the 54th minute, sending a Blair Gavin cross past Bill Gaudette to put Chivas USA in front 1-0. Romero then scored his first in the 58th minute before adding his second two minutes later off another cross from Gavin, making the score 3-0.
The Galaxy got one back in the 71st minute when Cristman got on the end of a through ball from Hector Jimenez and found Barrett inside the box for a tap-in, cutting LA’s deficit to 3-2. Twelve minutes later the lead was cut to one as Barrett and Cristman paired up once again. This time, Cristman played Barrett in behind the Chivas USA defense, and he sent a left-footed shot past Tim Melia and just inside the post for his second goal of the game.
However, Chivas USA put an end to any thoughts of a comeback in the 86th minute, when Romero scored his third goal of the game with a shot from just outside the area to give his side a 4-2 victory.
The Galaxy are back in Reserve League action on Monday, April 16 when they host Seattle Sounders FC on University Field #1 at The Home Depot Center. One week later, on Monday, April 23, Chivas USA are back in action when they host the Sounders at The Home Depot Center. Both games are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m.
LA Galaxy 2, Chivas USA 4
Monday, April 2, 2012
The Home Depot Center – Carson, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
CHV – Miller Bolaños 1 (Blair Gavin 1) 54’
CHV – Cesar Romero 1 (Unassisted) 58’
CHV – Cesar Romero 2 (Blair Gavin 2) 60’
LA – Chad Barrett 1 (Adam Cristman 1) 71’
LA – Chad Barrett 2 (Adam Cristman 2) 83’
CHV – Cesar Romero 3 (Unassisted) 86’
Misconduct Summary:
CHV – David Lopes (Yellow Card) 29’
LA – Pat Noonan (Yellow Card) 29’
LA – Dan Keat (Yellow Card) 42’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Bill Gaudette; Bryan Jordan, Tommy Meyer, Bryan Gaul, Dan Keat; Hector Jimenez, Kenney Walker (Rafael Garcia 61’), Michael Stephens (Jose Villarreal 61’), Kyle Nakazawa (Raul Mendiola^ 80’); Chad Barrett, Pat Noonan (Adam Cristman 59’).
Subs Not Used: Jordan King, Justin Davies.
^ - Galaxy Academy Players
Chivas USA: Tim Melia; Scott Gordon (Carlos Torres 73’), John Valencia, David Lopes, Gerardo Torres; Pete Vagenas (Marco Delgado* 46’), Ben Zemanski, Jorge Villafaña, Blair Gavin (Matt Dallman 65’); Cesar Romero, Miller Bolaños.
Subs Not Used: Patrick McLain, Victor Chavez, Jorge Marquez, Ben Spencer.
- Chivas USA Academy Player
Referee: Jesus Cisneros
Referee’s Assistants: Cesar Calderon and Gordon Lukehart
4th Official: Steve Elliot
