CARSON, California – Another long trip to the west coast, another solid road game, but this time a bad bounce and a spectacular bicycle kick goal in stoppage time left the Impact feeling frustrated as Chivas USA won 1-0 Saturday night, at StubHub Center.
"I felt that we should have walked away with points today," said head coach Frank Klopas. "It's heartbreaking the way we were seconds away and to give up a goal like that, sometimes the game is cruel and I feel for my players. We put a lot into the game and deserved a point."
After a long distance shot that deflected off of Matteo Ferrari’s back in the box, the floating ball fell to Goats forward Erick Torres with his back to goal. The lucky bounce was sent into the top corner after Torres used a spectacular bicycle kick to end the deadlock in the 94th minute.
"It's really disappointing to give up that goal at the end of the game, which was otherwise a good road performance," said Justin Mapp. "An unlucky deflection at the end and the bicycle kick finds the back of the net. Other than that, I thought we were really good defensively and created a few half chances close in on goal, but we weren't as efficient in the final third. That's how it goes sometimes."
“We were never really in danger for most of the game and then one chance and it changes,” said defender Heath Pearce. “We will let this sink in and then prepare for Kansas City next week.”
Although the first half ended without a goal and a total of just five shots between the two sides, the Impact went into the locker room with confidence, controlling most of the play with close to 60% possession, despite being the road team.
However, Chivas USA had the best scoring chance of the first 45, when goalkeeper Troy Perkins stopped a sharp angle shot by Marvin Chavez in the 38th minute. Craziness ensued in the box before defender Hassoun Camara cleared the ball from danger.
The second half started off well for IMFC, with a great ball behind the defence by Impact midfielder Andres Romero five minutes in, but Jack McInerney’s sliding attempt at goal was blocked out by a defender. Five minutes later, the Argentine fired a long range shot that forced Goats’ keeper Dan Kennedy into a diving save.
Despite the loss, Perkins excelled on at least two occasions, setting a team record of 315 minutes played without allowing a goal until the late winner.
The bleu-blanc-noir will now face Sporting Kansas City Saturday, July 12, at 7:30pm EDT at Stade Saputo.
Lineups
MTL – GK-Troy Perkins; D-Hassoun Camara, Matteo Ferrari, Heath Pearce, Karl W. Ouimette (Maxim Tissot 80’); M-Andrés Romero, Patrice Bernier (Calum Mallace 80’), Felipe, Andrés Romero; Justin Mapp; F-Jack McInerney (Gorka Larrea 90+2’), Marco Di Vaio
Subs not used: GK-Evan Bush; D-Wandrille Lefèvre, Futty Danso; F-Santiago Gonzalez
CHV– GK-Dan Kennedy; D-Donald Toia, Bobby Burling, Carlos Bocanegra, Tony Lochhead; M-Marco Delgado, Agustin Pelletieri, Marvin Chavez (Ryan Finley 88’), Eric Avila (Nathan Sturgis 82’); F-Leandro Barrera (Mauro Rosales 45’), Erick Torres
Subs not used: GK-Trevor Spangenberg; D-Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Eriq Zavaleta; M-Oswaldo Minda
Goal
CHV – Torres 90+4’
Caution
MTL – Ouimette 70’
