Chivas USA Shock The Nation With Real Salt Lake Shutout

Oct 5, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Real Salt Lake defender Chris Schuler (28) and Chivas USA midfielder Carlos Alvarez (20) get tangled up during first half action at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Wilmer Cabrera’s Chivas USA may be on their last days, but they still can show that they are a team to be reckoned. On Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center, they shocked the nation and perhaps the world with a 1-0 shutout win over Jeff Cassar’s Real Salt Lake. The loss for RSL puts a temporary hamper on their postseason plans.

Let’s take a look at six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the match between Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake.

1. Not a noteworthy start

The first several minutes of the match were not noteworthy, with both teams having to anage the October heat at the Hub.  Early on in the first half, a through ball for Alvaro Saborio from Javier Morales was called back for offsides in the third minute. Chivas defender Akira Kaji had a through ball intended for Felix Borja called back for offsides in the eighth minute of play.

2. Pace picks up soon after

The game’s first shot came in the 14th minute, when Leandro Barrera’s first volley missed wide left, indicative of the sorry season from the Goats. A chance from Alvaro Saborio in the 16th minute had too much lift. Two minutes later, Luke Mulholland had a volley that also had too much lift and sailed wide right.

Another through ball for Borja from Barrera was called back for offsides in the 18th minute. Oswaldo Minda earned another yellow card in the 22nd minute of play. That same minute, Saborio had a blocked shot. The Costa Rican international skied another couple of volleys in the 27th and 29th minutes.

3. Adios, Chris Schuler

Real Salt Lake defender Chris Schuler got knocked out of commission by Nat Borchers in a “bloody well right” lack of teamwork in the 33rd minute. Rich Balchan would have to fill in since the injury was really serious. Down a man for a while, Chivas USA did not show urgency to take advantage of being up a man. Grabavoy tried a through ball for Saborio in the 39th minute but it was called back for offsides.

RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando was forced to make a save on Barrera in the 42nd minute of play, the first major work needed to be done from the USA Men’s National Team bound-goalkeeper. Torres has a header from the center of the box saved in the 43rd minute. Borja was called back for offsides after receiving a dangerous through ball from Donny Toia in the second minute of first half injury time.

First Half Team Statistics
Chivas USA on left, Real Salt Lake on right

4 Shots 5
2 Shots on Target 0
2 Shots off Target 4
0 Blocked Shots 1
2 Corners 2
5 Crosses 9
3 Offsides 2
3 Fouls 9
1 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
145 Total Passes 349
66 % Passing Accuracy 86 %
29.7 % Possession 70.3 %
21 Duels Won 13
6 Tackles Won 5
0 Saves 2
7 Clearances 6

4. Borja throws the first (and only) punch

Early on in the second half, Morales and Saborio tried to team up in the 46th minute but the pass was called back for offsides. One minute later, Torres had a chip that hit the crossbar. Borja finished off the rebound to give the Goats a surprise 1-0 lead.

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That goal was all on Balchan for making a mistake in the back. It’s the price Real Salt Lake had to pay for Schuler getting taken out of the game by Borchers. In the 51st minute, Mulholland found Saborio but, as seen already, the offside trap worked for Chivas. Borja looked for a brace in the 53rd minute but was denied by Rimando.

5. Too much stutter steps from Torres

Robbie Findley came in for Saborio in the 60th minute. Balchan committed a foul in the box in the 62nd minute of play, conceding a penalty. However, the conversion attempt from Torres was saved by Rimando two minutes later. Torres had a header from the center of the box miss to the right in the 66th minute.

Sebastian Jaime came in for Balchan in the 71st minute. Joao Plata was his own worst enemy with a poor touch in the 73rd minute. Borja forced another huge save from Rimando seconds later. Findley, on the counter-attack, missed wide left. Nathan Sturgis would come in for Nigel Reo-Coker in the 74th minute.

6. Chivas USA stand tall late

Mulholland was cautioned in the 78th minute for a foul on Borja that left him limping. The ensuing set piece was redirected by Bobby Burling off the post, forcing a collection from Rimando. Sturgis was cautioned in the 82nd minute for a tackle on Chris Wingert.

Morales had a free kick in the 84th minute saved by Dan Kennedy. He would also earn a yellow card for a foul on Barrera one minute later, rendering him out for the next league match due to yellow card accumulation. Marvin Chavez came in at minute 88 for Barrera and Borja came out for Agustin Pelletieri.

Stoppage time saw a series of aerial duels combined with a reluctance by match referee David Gantar to blow the whistle until full time. One last chance from Robbie Findley in the seventh and final minute of stoppage time was cleared.

Team Statistics

Chivas USA Player Ratings

Dan Kennedy 5, Akira Kaji 7, Bobby Burling 7, Donny Toia 7, Eriq Zavaleta 7, Leandro Barrera 6, Matthew Dunn 6, Nigel Reo-Coker 5, Oswaldo Minda 5.5, Erick Torres 6, Felix Borja 8, Nathan Sturgis 3.5, Marvin Chavez NR, Agustin Pelletieri NR

Real Salt Lake Player Ratings

Nick Rimando 6, Carlos Salcedo 5, Chris Schuler 4, Chris Wingert 5, Nat Borchers 2, Javier Morales 4.5, Kyle Beckerman 5, Luke Mulholland 4.5, Ned Grababoy 5, Alvaro Saborio 4, Joao Plata 4, Rich Balchan 1, Robbie Findley 3, Sebastian Jaime 3