Union Demolish Chivas USA

• by Conor O'Grady
• September 26th, 2010
• MLS, News
• 3 Comments

Photo: PhiladelphiaUnion.com

As if Chivas needed yet another reason to feel bad about themselves, the Union destroyed any remaining scraps of dignity that the fanless, homeless orphan of MLS may have had- in our first official ass-kicking.

On paper, this game is nothing special.  A good team beat a shitty one, 3-0.  This is not unexpected in soccer.

But for us, the Union faithful, the Chivas game actually ranks among the many precious milestones that the year of ZOLO hath wrought.  Along with the official founding, the draft, the rally, our home opener(s), and the various other special moments from season 1, this game was another first.  It was the first time that the Union have just plain demolished the other team, start to finish- a proper, unadulterated ass whoopin’.

For those of us who were there, none can deny that it truly felt different.  Hanging on the edge of our seats all season (or, if you’re in the River End, hanging on the edge of…the area in front of your seat…) has been fun, but it was nice to just beat somebody for once.   It’s unlikely that Union fans have ever felt the level of sheer calm that washed over PPL Park by the 70th.  Ever.

Sure, the emotional roller coaster of comebacks, last-minute goals, and slim-margin victories has made this season one hell of an adventure, but at some point the underdog needs to shake himself off, pump himself up, and mount the nearest poodle while its terrified owner looks on in sheer horror.  That’s what this was- a well deserved and appropriate humiliation of another, lesser team.  For once.

So, the details.  The game started pretty evenly, with the Goats looking surprisingly resistant for the first few minutes.  Chivas even managed to create a great chance in the 16th, but look-who’s-keeping-now Knighton made the right move at the right time, sliding out to deny Justin Braun the opening goal. It wouldn’t be his last save of the day, as Knighton continues to solidify his reputation as a dependable goalie who can not only make the right decisions, but can also get in front of some serious shots on goal.

For their part, the Union blew a great chance when Le Toux put a ball in the perfect spot for a diving Moreno to head in, but despite the athletic leap, Alejandro somehow managed to put it wide.  At that point, the broad sides of barns everywhere breathed a sigh of relief, but Moreno wasn’t through just yet.

In the 26th, Justin Mapp put a corner into the box.  This time Moreno was ready, as he shook off his defender and headed the curling ball right gracefully into the upper 90.  His joy/relief was palpable as he kissed the snake on his chest, to the rapture of the River End.

In the dying minutes of the first half, another set piece would provide the Union’s second goal.   A Le Toux free kick followed a yellow card offense by Chivas’ Mariano Trujillo.  The kick itself was an odd one, low and short, but Moreno was able to flick it goalward, only to have it stopped by goalie Zack Thornton.  Fortunately Thornton, having not eaten an entire live goose for several hours, couldn’t hang on to it.  As he lay beached at the goal mouth, Fred poked the loose ball into the open net.

The final blow came in the 69th, when another free kick was awarded and Le Toux stepped up.  His low blast not only penetrated the wall, but its unexpected trajectory sent Thornton diving in the exact opposite direction of the ball.  His writhing rotundity flailed uselessly as the shot bounced past, sealing Chivas’ fate.

Takeaways

One downside- Mwanga got hurt.  Reportedly, his substitution in the 2nd half was due to his having further aggravated his shoulder injury.  We don’t know the extent of the injury, but this might be one of those times where someone is gonna have to step up.

Knighton came out when he should’ve, and stayed put when he should’ve.  He also dived to smack away a great shot or two when he should’ve.  Hope has a backup goalie, and Knighton is his name.  Keep it up.

Finally someone who isn’t Sebastien Le Toux was allowed to take the corners, and LOOK how it worked out!  Le Toux is our best, but the kind of ball Mapp put in for Moreno is simply beyond the Frenchman’s ability from the flagpole.  I’d be willing to bet that similar success would result from relieving the Frenchman of free-kick duty as well (his last goal not withstanding).  I even have a good Nakazawa chant lined up.

Our first comfortable win was nice, but let’s not get too cocky.  In truth, this was just as much a Chivas loss as it was a Union victory.  There were still too many incidents in which Chivas managed to penetrate our defense to the point of having perfect shots.  Fortunately for us, those Goats consistently wasted their chances.  The fact that they suck so thoroughly did just as much to ensure a clean sheet as our back line did.  Neither NYRB nor LA are likely to be so forgiving.