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Match
Tracker/Box Score
CARSON, Calif. - In a match decided by penalty kicks, Chivas USA
defeated Mexican power Club América in the InterClásico at Home
Depot Center on Sunday afternoon.
Francisco Palencia scored in the first half while Carlos Infante
bagged a late equalizer as the game finished 1-1 at the end of
regulation. Brad Guzan stopped two penalty kicks in the ensuing
shootout to give the Red-and-White the victory.
The InterClásico drew a festive crowd that seemed to exceed the
atmosphere of any Chivas USA games this season. América's
yellow-and-blue clad supporters, La Monumental, tried to match
Chivas' supporters group, Legion 1908, who were decked out in red
and white. Massive flags and balloons dotted both sections as
supporters danced and chanted throughout the match.
Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley sent out a strong side to start the
game. Only regulars Jonathan Bornstein and Preston Burpo were absent
from the starting lineup.
Both sides gave a spirited effort from the opening minute, but it
was América who nearly opened the scoring. Sacha Kljestan cleared a
dangerous ball off the line in the ninth minute. América's Claudio
Lopez sent a shot on frame but Kljestan did well to send the ball
out of danger.
Jesse Marsch walked into the penalty area unmarked but sent a
left-footed blast well over the crossbar.
Chivas USA drew a penalty kick in the 16th minute after Palencia
was taken down inside the penalty area. Razov sent a perfect through
ball to Palencia, who darted past four América defenders and inside
the area. As Palencia raced inside the area, América defender Diego
Cervantes shoved Palencia from behind and sent him to the turf.
Referee Ramon Hernandez awarded Chivas USA a penalty kick and gave
Cervantes a red card.
Palencia converted the penalty kick to give Chivas USA a 1-0
lead. Palencia also scored in Thursday's regular-season game at
Colorado. As América 'keeper Guillermo Ochoa dived to his left,
Palencia put the ball into the opposite side of net.
Palencia also found the back of the net in his last game against
América. On March 13, 2005, Palencia scored two goals in Chivas of
Guadalajara's 3-3 tie against América in Estadio Azteca.
In the 22nd minute, América nearly leveled terms. Oscar Rojas
swung a cross into the penalty area but Salvador Cabanas' header
whistled the far post.
Marsch again struck a shot over the crossbar in the 37th minute.
Marsch found himself unmarked some 30 yards out, turned and hit a
well-struck ball but went just high over the crossbar.
Three minutes from halftime, Ochoa showed why he was on Mexico's
2006 World Cup roster. Ante Razov walked past a couple of
yellow-clad defenders into the penalty area where he slipped Juan
Pablo Garcia the ball. From some 15 yards out, Garcia fired a shot
destined for the upper right corner of the net. Ochoa, though, leapt
into the air and pushed the ball just over the crossbar.
Chivas USA made mass substitutions at halftime as coach Bob
Bradley sent out 10 fresh players, as only Guzan remained in the
game. Among the players who started the second half was Marco
Antonio Parra, who played in 18 regular-season games for Chivas of
Guadalajara. Parra, 21, debuted for Chivas on Oct. 22, 2003 under
then-coach Hans Westerhof.
The massive facelift seemed to have little affect on the crowd as
supporters from both sides remained boisterous throughout the match.
América made four changes in the 58th minute and four more just
two minutes later. By the 78th minute, all of América's starters
were out of the match.
Chivas USA's reserves did well against América. With just 10
minutes left, however, Santos was sent off after picking up a second
yellow card. With both teams even with 10 players, América picked up
its attack and was rewarded shortly thereafter.
Carlos Infante finally broke through for América. In the 82nd
minute, Infante fired a 25-yard bomb on goal. The ball bounced past
Guzan's outstretched arms and into the back of the net.
Carlos Llamosa rattled the first penalty kick off the crossbar
and Guzan blocked Nacho Torres' attempt but otherwise neither side
missed any of its first five spot kicks. Guzan stopped Armando
Sanchez's attempt to give Chivas USA the victory.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story
was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its
clubs.
