Chivas USA opens SuperLiga play with a loss
Only five minutes had been played before Puebla FC started dancing.
Puebla midfielder Andres Olivera scored the first goal in the sixth minute Thursday and Chivas USA lost, 2-1, at Home Depot Center to begin SuperLiga, a yearly event that brings MLS and Mexican league teams together to compete.
Olivera found the net when he skipped a ball past Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and into a hole on the right side.
Kennedy was unprepared for the soft goal. He raised a hand to point the finger at himself afterward.
Chivas Coach Martin Vasquez said he was “disappointed because we know we deserve better.”
The early defensive lapse was not indicative of Chivas’ play in the first half. The additions of veteran Paulo Nagamura and Rodolfo Espinoza to the midfield added toughness in a game with nine yellow cards.
Puebla still found its way to the back of the defense with long lob passes and aggressive plays on loose balls. And shots on goal became more frequent for Puebla in the second half.
Those attempts would culminate with a goal by Puebla forward Alvaro Gonzalez in the 62nd minute. Defender Alejandro Acosta surprised Chivas defenders when he moved to the right sideline and led a break that ended with his quick lead pass to Gonzalez for an easy goal.
A header from defender Michael Umana off a corner kick from Espinoza in the 85th minute accounted for the Chivas goal.
