Chivas drop road game to Revs

Despite promising first half, Red-and-White concede twice as slump continues

Chukwudi Chijindu (R) and Chivas USA have dropped seven of their last eight games. (K. Nordstrom/Getty)

The Red-and-White controlled most of the first half, creating a number of close chances on the New England net. Chivas USA got solid performances from its midfielders as the team peppered the Revs' penalty area, earning seven corner kicks to New England's zero.

But it was the halftime introduction of 2009 MLS All-Star Shalrie Joseph that seemed to be he turning point, as Preki's men were unable to gain any momentum in a second half that saw Joseph help to orchestrate both of New England's goals.

The Red-and-White started Sunday's game on the right foot, maintaining strong possession through the midfield and pushing forward toward the New England net. A new-look lineup that included usual defender Jonathan Bornstein at left midfield and Sasha Victorine in the center with Paulo Nagamura seemed eager to assert its dominance in the first 15 minutes of play.

Chivas USA's best chance came in the 13th minute when Nagamura chipped a long ball over the top of the Revolution defense and into the path of Victorine. The 10-year-veteran sent a hard first-time shot toward the right side of the net that New England 'keeper Matt Reis parried wide for a corner kick.

Strong mobility through the midfield continued to keep Chivas USA in the driver's seat as the game continued. Bornstein on the left wing and Chukwudi Chijindu on the right provided pace from the outside flanks and fed a number of good balls into the area for Chivas USA. The Red-and-White nearly capitalized in the 26th minute when Mariano Trujillo swung a good corner kick into the New England penalty spot. Carey Talley beat his man and headed toward the top left corner of the net, but his effort was denied by a diving save from Reis.

Chivas USA was almost caught napping in the 31st minute when New England's Jeff Larentowicz sent a clever pass through to Steve Ralston. Ralston slipped around the outside of the defense and shot a low ball toward net that was just cleared off the line by Ante Jazic.

The central midfield pairing of Nagamura and Victorine was proving to be an effective one. The two largely controlled the middle of the field, creating a number of offensive chances for the Red-and-White. The 39th minute saw them create the best chance of the final 10 minutes of the half when Nagamura once again chipped a ball over the Revolution defense and the path of his midfield partner. Victorine got a head on it, but his effort sailed just wide left to send the teams into the locker rooms deadlocked at 0-0.

Chivas USA started the second half a bit sluggishly, sitting back on defense and failing regain the midfield dominance that served them so well in the first forty-five. New England introduced Shalrie Joseph at the break, and his presence seemed to ignite the Revs' offense.

Joseph didn't take long to make an impact for New England. The Grenada international collected an errant pass in the 56th minute and threaded a ball through to Dube at the top of the box. Dube drilled a shot at net, but a world-class sliding save from Zach Thornton kept the match scoreless.

Dube and Joseph hooked up again just four minutes later, this time making no mistake of it. Joseph found Dube once more with a clever pass from midfield that sprung the striker at the top of the Chivas USA box. Thornton charged off his line but was too late as Dube curled a shot around him to take the Revs ahead 1-0 in the 61st minute.

Chivas USA head coach Preki introduced Sacha Kljestan in the 65th minute, looking to reignite his offense with some fresh legs. Kljestan helped to stabilize the Red-and-White midfield and the team began to find its footing, but was quickly halted in the 77th minute when Steve Ralston leapt on a misplayed ball by Victorine and slammed a low shot into the net to double New England's lead.

The Red-and-White pushed back as the match headed toward full time, with substitutes Kljestan and Gerson Mayén providing much of the spark. The Red-and-White enjoyed some good spells of possession, but were unable to find a way through the New England defense.

The final whistle signaled another loss for Chivas USA in a recent slump that has seen them drop from first place to fourth in the Western Conference. They'll now have to wait until after the All-Star break to get back on track, their next league match Aug. 8 at the Colorado Rapids.

Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com

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