Chivas, Revolution are out

Major League Soccer’s credibility suffered a double blow Tuesday when Chivas USA and the New England Revolution both were knocked out of the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League in the preliminary round.

Chivas USA, which had been beaten, 2-0, by Tauro FC in Panama City last week, this time managed a 1-1 tie with the Panamanians at a virtually empty Home Depot Center and was ousted, 3-1, on aggregate.

The Revolution’s dismissal was even more embarrassing for MLS. After losing, 2-1, to Joe Public in Trinidad and Tobago last week, New England was thoroughly outclassed in the second leg, losing, 4-0, at Foxborough, Mass., to go out, 6-1, on aggregate.

Chivas created enough chances to win its game and the series, but poor finishing -- one of the team’s downfalls all season -- wrecked those hopes.

Roberto Nurse scored his first goal for Chivas at the 41:48 mark, turning and firing a shot low into the left corner after Justin Braun had nodded down a cross from Jonathan Bornstein.

But Bornstein was ejected from the game seven minutes into the second half when he picked up a second yellow card, leaving Chivas a man down.

Luis Moreno’s 62nd-minute goal ended Chivas’ hopes.

-- Grahame L. Jones