CARSON, Calif. -- It might not have carried any significance in the Western Conference standings, but Chivas USA finally showed the resilience first-year head coach Wilmer Cabrera has asked for all season.
Félix Borja scored the game-winner for the second consecutive game as the Goats erased a first-half deficit to beat the reeling Colorado Rapids, 2-1, on Saturday night at StubHub Center.
Borja’s heroics arrived in the 85th minute when his header off a centering pass from Akira Kaji sneaked past Clint Irwin. Borja also scored last Sunday in a 1-0 home victory against Real Salt Lake -- a result that snapped the club's 12-game winless streak.
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Just moments after taking the pitch as a substitute in the 64th minute, rookie forward Kristopher Tyrpak unleashed a dizzying run through a group of Colorado defenders and capped the individual effort by beating Irwin from point-blank range for the equalizer. It was Tyrpak’s first career MLS goal.
John Neeskens also scored his first career goal and Charles Eloundou had his first career assist for Colorado, but the Rapids remained winless for the 12th consecutive game.
The Rapids, whose previous win came against Chivas USA on July 25, took the lead in the 30th minute when Eloundou sped past a defender and played a pass to a streaking Neeskens, who beat Dan Kennedy with a low shot to the near post. Colorado nearly doubled their lead in the 35th minute when former Chivas USA midfielder Carlos Alvarez fed Eloundou inside the area, but Kennedy punched away the ensuing shot.
The Rapids tested the Chivas USA backline throughout the first half, piling up 15 attempts on goal. Zat Knight had the first golden opportunity for the Rapids in the 20th minute, but his header off a set piece was swatted away by a diving Kennedy.
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The Goats (8-18-6) had a chance in the 22nd minute, but Borja spoiled a pass from Ryan Finley on a two-on-one breakaway.
Chivas USA took two of three from the Rapids (8-16-8) this year, with their other victory coming in early May.
The Rapids return home to face FC Dallas on Oct. 18, while Chivas USA hit the road to meet Real Salt Lake on Oct. 22.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kris-tyrpak" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12px;">Kris Tyrpak</span></a> |
The kid scored within just seconds of coming on, and threw Chivas a lifeline. |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/felix-borja" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12px;">Felix Borja</span></a> |
Game-winning header in between Zat Knight (6-foot-6) and Marvell Wynne (athletic freak). |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/john-neeskens" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12px;">John Neeskens</span></a> |
First career MLS goal was well taken at the near post. Nice memory. |
