Rapids Doom Chivas USA to Another Loss

Martin Rivero and Kamani Hill both scored for the Rapids (Getty Images)

The match between Chivas USA and the Colorado Rapids Saturday night at the Home Depot Center didn't have playoff implications for either side, but there was plenty of pride on the line, as well a chance to gain more points and hopefully avoid the Western Conference basement.

At least the Rapids played as if that was on the line.  For Chivas USA, not so much.  The Rapids dominated the first half, stretching out to a two goal lead before the interval, which did force Chivas to actually try in the second, though it didn't really matter much in the end.

Chivas USA did control much of the possession throughout the opening stanza, but it was largely pointless possession.  The chances went to the Rapids.  Their first came on 12 minute when Omar Cummings sent a shot in that missed the Goats goal.  Speaking of the Goats, they started backup, and former RSL third stringer, Tim Melia with Dan Kennedy getting the night off.  This proved costly for Chivas early on as Melia tried to claim a ball in his box, but couldn't hold it, leading to a continuation of the play.  The defense managed a half hearted clearance, but only so far as the Rapids' Kamani Hill, who passed to Martin Rivero on the right side.  He calmly collected the ball then slotted in between Melia and his near post to give the Rapids the 0-1 lead on 16 minutes.

The Rapids, who were quite impressive both on the ball and off, were to add a second goal on 43 minutes.  On this occasion Cummings blazed a well hit cross through the area to Hill, who was coming up the Rapids' left.  Hill met the cross brilliantly with his head, driving it into the ground where it skipped past Melia and inside the far post to make it 0-2 going into the break.

Coming out down two goals for the second half, Chivas decided to throw more men forward.  After all, it wasn't like it mattered to them if they lost by 2 or 3 goals.  However the Rapids and their own backup 'keeper, Stew Ceus, were quite happy to bunker in and protect their lead.

The Goats did manage a few half chances, and even tested Ceus a couple of times.  Juan Agudelo tried to make his presence felt, but couldn't find the target even with a couple of decent looks.  It was largely emblematic of his season, if not of his career so far.  Laurent Courtois actually managed to force a save out of Ceus on 76 minutes, but it would be one of only two shots on target on the night for the Goats as the Rapids easily held on to the 0-2 win.

Despite the 3 points, the Rapids cannot catch FC Dallas for sixth in the west, but depending on next week's results, they could finish as high as seventh.  The performance was largely indicative of the kind of play the Rapids are capable of under Oscar Pareja, especially with players like Rivero, Hill, and Jaime Castrillon.  The question is, will they grow enough to perform like that against the better teams in MLS?  It's possible, but time will tell.

With Portland's win on Sunday, the loss dooms Chivas USA to a last place finish in the West, though last place in the league as a whole is reserved for Toronto FC's fate.  For the Goats, this promises to be another long off season, but if they continue to play like this, it might not be long enough.