Is soccer becoming the sport of bad calls, or what? Thanks to my DVR, I was able to come home from my hockey game (a 6-0 where I scored 2 goals) and watch Chivas' opening group game in the Super Liga. It was a game filled with high hopes, as a trio of new players would step into the Red & White spotlight, but it was a game where hopes would be dashed, as Puebla put the Goats down, 2-1.
And, to top it off, the first Puebla goal came on a crazy non-called offside play. Andres Oliveras put home a 15 yard shot with one player wearing a VW jersey who was clearly offside. It wasn't even close. When the initial pass was made, goalie and Gaucho Dan Kennedy just kind of stood up, rather than being in the ready position because he was so sure of the coming call. Unbelievably, the flag stayed down, and the softly kicked ball rolled past Kennedy and into the net. About five Chivas players had their hands up before the shot, but unfortunately, they aren't refs. Head coach Martín Vásquez kept his cool after the game, "The first goal, even though it was offside (was a goal) we gave up." It's alright that he kept his cool, because us fans can be enraged by the call...and I am.
That would be where the game stood after the first 45. It was a physical as heck game, with 8 yellow cards handed out (including an unlikely 2 to Yamith Cuesta, who will miss the next match), a Puebla player with a broken nose, and physicality from Chivas due to getting frustrated by Puebla's constant stalling. The Mexican side got four yellows for delay of game. Pricks.
In the second half, Puebla would connect for a pretty brilliant goal. It was a counterattack that opened up the chance, and a beautiful pass on the run thatt gave the VW sponsored squad their second goal. Defense couldn't get back, and made us look like we weren't meant to compete with these guys. At least it was a fair goal. Chivas pushed forward on the attack, and in the 85th it finally paid off. A perfectly kicked corner came right to the head of Michael Umaña, and he deflected it perfectly into the back of the net. It was the newest of the new, Rodolfo Espinoza, sending the ball in, and with 5+ remaining, we had life. It wasn't to be, though, as Puebla would walk off the pitch with their heads held high, sending Chivas to an opening loss in the Super Liga.
Much was made, by me, of the lineup changes coming into the match, and now we can kind of dissect the decisions.
G: Kennedy is goal was the only choice, because it's clear that the injury to ZTB is more serious than the club is letting on.
D: Jazic, Trujillo, Cuesta, Umaña, and Bornstein. This is different, because we played a 5-3-2 in the game. We predicted that The Trujth, Cuesta, Umaña From Heaven, and Borns would start in the back, and Vásquez decided to add Jazic to roll with 5 back. Obviously this didn't end up being the right call. We had 5 back and still couldn't stop that impressive second Puebla goal (the only one that should have counted from them).
M: Nagamura, Lahoud, and Espinoza. The signing of Rodolfo Espinoza, along with playing only 3 at the middie spot, messed up our predictions here (we picked Lahoud, Nagamura, Gavin, and Saragosa). While Saragosa got subbed in for Paulo in the 63rd, he didn't make a differene. The highlight came from newbie Rodolfo Espinoza's corner, which easily makes him a quick fan favorite.
F: Braun & Maldonado. Maldogol and JB were our picks for up front, and we saw Jesús Padilla (46) and usual midfielder Osael Romero (76) get subbed in. Interesting that Vázquez wouldn't have subbed Padilla in for Maldogol to get our usual front line up there, but he is probably just trying to tinker with the new roster. Guys need to get used to playing with each other, especially the two homies striking together.
After Houston beat Pachuca 2-1, the Group A table has Houston and Puebla with 3 points each and Chivas and Pachuca with nil. Sunday night, all four teams will throw down in Houston, as Chivas tries to shock the Dynamo for the second time in as many visits. A win would be large, but a tie may be necessary to keep our dream alive. In Group B, it was New Enlgand busting UNAM 1-0 and Morelia (the really, really good Mexican side) killing Chicago 5-1. Those four squads match up tomorrow night in Illinois.
So, how will Chivas switch things up to try and make an impact against Houston? First off, going back to the 4-4-2 has to happen. Sit Jazic, and player Saragosa or Romero for the entire game. Keep Espinoza in at midfield, but consider starting Braun and Padilla up front with Maldonado waiting to sub in. Also, hope the ref will make the right call, as not to screw DK the GK.
"¡Se levantan Chivas! El Rebaño sagrado apalastará a Houston. La Dinamo no tienen esperanza. ¡Rojo y blanco para la vida!"
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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