By Luis Bueno / MLSnet.com Staff
CARSON, Calif. -– Pachuca opened SuperLiga 2008 in the same manner as they closed out the tournament a year ago as los Tuzos beat Chivas USA 2-1 at The Home Depot Center in the Group B opener for both teams.
Pachuca won SuperLiga 2007 after beating the LA Galaxy in the same building on penalty kicks a year ago.
On Sunday, Bruno Marioni and Gabriel Caballero did the damage as the duo scored a goal apiece in the opening half. Ante Razov gave Chivas USA a short-lived lead with a goal in the 16th minute.
The match was historic for the Red-and-White. In four years of existence, Chivas USA had not played an official match in an international competition before Sunday.
While Chivas USA made history, Pachuca looked to add to its own historic run. Pachuca has been one of the Western Hemisphere’s most successful clubs over the past three years. Pachuca has won four international competitions in the past three years, including the inaugural SuperLiga tournament in 2007.
The match was Chivas USA’s first-ever game without Guzan as a member of Chivas USA. Guzan is headed to England's Aston Villa, pending approval of a work permit. In his place, Lance Parker got the starting nod ahead of Dan Kennedy.
For having played an emotionally and physically draining league match on Thursday, Chivas USA came out with quite a bit of energy. From the opening whistle, the Red-and-White looked dangerous against their Mexican foes.
Just three minutes in, Sacha Kljestan nearly put an exclamation mark on the early pace but his 12-yard shot rattled off the crossbar.
Chivas USA got a break in the eighth minute when Fausto Pinto was whistled for a handball inside the penalty area, a call for which he was booked.
Claudio Suarez stepped forward to take the penalty kick. Though Miguel Calero guessed wrong, Suarez could only watch as his shot clanged off the left post and out of harm’s way.
Despite the missed penalty kick, the hosts continued to put pressure on Pachuca. With fresh legs and a rejuvenated attack, Chivas USA eventually struck gold. In the 16th minute, Carey Talley sent a ball down the right side to Atiba Harris, who centered it towards Razov. Leobardo Lopez cleared the ball but it went straight to Kljestan. After settling it, Kljestan tried Razov again. This time, the ball reached Razov who hit the underside of the crossbar and watched his shot bounce across the goal line.
It was fitting that Razov scored the goal. Chivas USA’s all-time leading scorer also scored the Red-and-White’s first playoff goal, in a 2-1 win against Houston in 2006.
The lead, though, did not last long. Francisco Mendoza was called for a foul deep in Chivas USA territory. Gerardo Rodriguez sent the free kick to the front of the goal and Marioni knocked the ball into the back of the net.
Marioni, a new arrival from Atlas of Guadalajara, beat Suarez to the near post and scored his first official goal for his new club.
Pachuca took the lead in the 42nd minute when Rodriguez again caused damage. This time, Rodriguez swung in a cross from the left side to Caballero, who found space in Chivas USA’s backline. Caballero headed the ball into the right corner of the goal.
Parker did well to stop Marioni in the 60th minute. Marioni knocked a shot on goal from close range after Rodriguez found him near the six-yard box but Parker did well to make the save.
Chivas USA coach Preki went to the bench in the 61st minute as he took out Jesse Marsch and Bobby Burling in favor of Daniel Paladini and Jim Curtin. Eight minutes later, Preki took out Razov in favor of Anthony Hamilton.
Chivas USA tried to mount a late comeback but Pachuca did well to kill off the match.
Pachuca CF Finding Rhythm in Group Play, By Luis Bueno
Chivas USA Plagued by Miss Opportunities, By Luis Bueno
