Jesus Padilla (G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)
SANDY - Hoping to avoid a repeat of last years visit to Rio Tinto Stadium, the Goats played with caution.The first half came and went without either team taking many chances on the field and ended scoreless.
The second half saw the reining MLS Cup champions press for the go ahead goal. A goal they scored via Ned Gravaboy in the 66th minute.
Four minutes later though, the Goats pulled the goal back following Jesus Padilla shot from over 20 yards out. In what should have been a standard save from goalkeeper (and Monrovia native) Nick Rimando, turned into a howler only Rob Green could appreciate. With Padilla's shot coming straight at him, Rimando attempted to double-fist the ball away. However in his attempt to do so, the ball hit the lower part of his hands causing it to deflect downward in between his legs. The momentum from the ensuing bounce went in the direction of the goal.
“It’s been a long month for us and we have had a lot of games,” Goats goalkeeper Dan Kennedy stated. “We were in the 60th minute and we just gave up a goal to put us down 1-0. But once we scored our goal, we just wanted to make sure we didn’t give another one away.”
As the match progressed, it became obvious the Goats were content with leaving the state of Utah with one point in tow as forward Giancarlo Maldonado was subbed out in place of defender Carlos Borja in the 82nd minute. At the end of the night, Real Salt Lake had taken 20 shots (8 on goal), while the Goats had only made five such attempts (2 on goal).
“It’s not easy to come to Rio Tinto Stadium against the champions,” commented Coach Vásquez. “It’s a big field and it’s a high altitude. But we will take the point; it’s a good result considering the way things happened in the game."
With the draw, the Goats now return to the Home Depot Center (with a record of 4-9-4) next Saturday to face Frankie Hejduk, Robbie Rogers, and the rest of the Columbus Crew (1st place in the Eastern Conference) who themselves defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-0 earlier on Saturday night. Match time is 7:30pm and will be available on over the air TV on KWHY Ch. 22.
Maldonado scored match winner. (Jeff Golden/Getty Images)
Earlier this week, the Goats were victorious in their final 1st Round Superliga match vs. Pachuca. Courtesy of Giancarlo Maldonado's 7th minute strike, the Goats won by a score of 1-0. Despite the win, the Goats were still eliminated from the competition as Houston defeated Puebla by the same scoreline, earlier in the day. That result put Houston as leaders of the group with 7 points, while Puebla remained with 6.
With advancement out of the question, and Captain Bornstein out hurt (who also made headlines by signing with Tigres this week), Coach Vasquez made it a point to give playing time to players that hadn't gotten much of it to date. Among one of the players to get a start, was defender Carlos Borja.
“It was the first time I played center back for the team here, but I used to play it in Mexico,” Borja told MLSsoccer.com. “I felt comfortable. I had my teammates giving me the confidence I needed to step up and take that role.”
Other players to get playing time included United States U-20 internationals Jorge Flores (who entered at halftime), and Gerson Mayen (who came in at the 72nd minute mark.
“Getting actual game time is really important for us younger guys,” said Flores after the match. “It helps to build our confidence and allows us a chance to get into the rhythm of the team.
As for Mayen, getting sudden playing time can be like umping out of car and hitting the ground running.
“It’s hard to get your rhythm out there because we don’t play a lot of games,” commented Mayén. “Especially against these Mexican teams – they keep ball very well, so you it’s hard because you feel like you’re chasing the game sometimes.”
As seen during his time with the U-20's (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Prior to Wednesdays match, it was also announced that United States international, Sal Zizzo would be joining the Goats, following his three year stint as a member of Hanover 96 in the Bundesliga. The 23-year old former UCLA Bruins Soccer team, returns to Southern California to resume his pro career which was interrupted by a knee injury that affected his playing time throughout 2009 and 2010.
“I was absolutely psyched when I found out it was Chivas,” Zizzo told MLSsoccer.com. “They were my No. 1 choice. Coming back to California is great ... The lifestyle here fits me really well and I’m so happy to be back.”
With the recent departure of Sacha Kljestan, Zizzo is seen as someone who can help fill th void in midfield left by the former co-captain.
“Zizzo is a player that our coaching staff knows well, and we’re very happy to have him join the club,” said Coach Vásquez. “He’s a young, exciting attacking player with both international experience and a great deal of potential, and we look forward to seeing him in action.”
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