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Chivas USA falls 1-0 in Chicago

August 2, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


Chivas USA fell 1-0 to the Chicago Fire on Saturday night in an exciting game in front of 20,492 fans at Toyota Park in Chicago. The result left the Red-and-White with a record of 6-7-4 (W-L-T) and 22 pts, and in fourth place in the Western Conference tied with FC Dallas.

Chicago's Patrick Nyarko scored the only goal of the match at the 16th minute of play from a pass by teammate Chris Rolfe.

Chivas USA Goalkeeper Zach Thornton made his first appearance with the Red-and-White a day after he was acquired from the New York Red Bulls.

Maykel Galindo returned from a groin surgery and entered the game at the 64th minute. Galindo's last game with the Red-and-White was on May 11th against the New England Revolution. Alecko Eskandarian also came back from a groin surgery and entered the game at the 73rd minute. Eskandarian's only game with Chivas USA so far this season was on April 5th against Real Salt Lake, when he scored a goal in the 3-1 victory at The Home Depot Center. Midfielder Keith Savage made his second MLS appearance.

Defender Claudio Suarez had a head injury at the 45th minute of play and had to be replaced by Bobby Burling, who entered the game in the second half. Suarez was taken to the hospital after the match and will be evaluated on the extent of his injury.

Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on tonight's match: "In the first half we were a little bit sluggish. We didn't play with a lot of energy like I expected. We made one mistake and they scored a goal, but in the second half we got better. We were pushing forward... we are not sharp in the last part of the field. We need to connect. We are not causing enough trouble".

Midfielders Sacha Kljestan (U.S. Olympic Team) and Jorge Flores (U.S. U-20 National Team) missed the game to do international duties. Head Coach Preki also missed the match due to a two-game suspension. Preki will also miss next week's match against Kansas City Wizards.

The Red-and-White were missing four players due to injury: FW Ante Razov (six goals in six consecutive games, L knee sprain); FW Justin Braun (L knee contusion); DF Alex Zotinca (R knee ACL surgery); and MF Raphael Wicky (R ankle surgery).

Chivas USA will return to Los Angeles on Sunday morning. The Red-and-White is scheduled to resume training on Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT; the remaining of the team's schedule is TBA.

The Red-and-White will remain on the road next weekend. Chivas USA will visit the Kansas City Wizards in MLS League action next Saturday, August 9th, before the final Super Clásico of the regular season vs. LA Galaxy on Aug. 14. For tickets or more information on Chivas USA, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1, visit www.cdchivasusa.com or contact Chivas USA Communications.

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