Now that's how you bust a slump. Chivas USA stared their US Open Cup quarterfinal in the face, nervous for two reasons. First, Chivas had never beat Houston while playing in the state of Texas. Damn the former San Jose Earthquakes! Second, Chivas has never really been a superb US Open Cup team. For some reason, the quarters are about as far as we've ever made it. However, on a partly cloudy 87 degree day, deep in the heart of Texas, with a half MLS gameday roster, this Chivas squad broke the curse. This could be how the season truly gets turned around.
Justin Braun decided to be the hero in the high flying match that finished with the good guys up 3-1 in front of the Orange Crush fans. The best part was that Houston was continuing to use their full MLS roster, and we still edged them, while we started just 8 from the starting 11 in last week's Union match. Chivas ame out with an unmatched intensity, and it paid off quickly. In the fifth minute, Mariano Trujillo got a free kick from 40 yards out that curled right to the head of forward and SLC native Justin Braun. Brains & Braun's header found the back of the net, and the early 1-0 lead was just the second lead Chivas has ever had in Houston. La Naranja had a chance in the 28th minute rubbed out by ZTB (the Beast is back!), and we entered the half time break with that 1-0 lead.
20 minutes beyond the half time whistle, Chivas would strike again on an impressive win. Canadian Ante Jaziç gobbled up the ball after a failed Houston chance and sent a defense splitting pass to Michael "The Fighting Baptist" Lahoud, who drove in and net and buried the ball to pump the Rebaño Sagrado. In the 86th things got interesting with Houston deflecting a ball off another player in the box to beat Thorton and draw within a goal late in the game. Of course, the St. Patrick's Battalion (now the Union Ultras) grew nervous based on our history, but fear not fellow Red & White fans. It was the double from Justin Braun on a run where he split two defenders to score in the 90th that crushed the Orange's dreams of advancing.
The 3-1 not only got us our first win in Houston and our first win against La Naranja in 11 games, but also pushed us forward to the US Open Cup Semifinals for the first time in our history. Tonight, Los Angeles and Seattle's Rave Green battle to decide who matches up with Chivas in the semis.
Saturday afternoon we get back to MLS action as Chivas (3-9-2, 11) goes head to head with Kansas City (3-7-3, 12) in the usually heated East/West clash...and it's on TV!
Don't forget the best song of the Union Ultras (Chivas USA's supporters group) sung to the tune of "Yellow Submarine":
"In the town, where I was born,
There's a team that I support.
And they all wear Red & White,
And they're going to win tonight.
We all cheer for Chivas USA (Hey!)
Chivas USA (Hey!)
Chivas USA (Hey!)"
Let the motto of Chivas supporters ring true:
"Nosotros solos sin miedo."
"Us alone, without fear."
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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