Chivas beat Pachuca 4-1 on Saturday with goals from Jorge Mora(who made his first appearance with the first team in the league), Erick Torres and two from Alberto “Venado” Medina.

The youth invigorated Chivas looked unrecognizable against Pachuca(and on the artificial turf at the Omnilife!). With plenty of knowledge between Mora(20yrs) and Torres(18yrs), they easily took on the opposing defense and looked comfortable plying their trade against the big boys as they do in reserves. Venado looked just as young as those and seemed to be on the thought waves.

THIS is the Chivas team that we should be seeing week-in and week-out. Jorge Vergara constantly boasts about the youth system, but we don’t usually see it in action. Instead, players such as “Bofo” are placed on the field blocking the way of the young players and slowing down the pace of the game.

It seems like Jose Luis Real found a combination that works. Though it was a young squad out on the field, there was also plenty of experience. The Chivas side sort of reminds me of Arsenal. You have players that are young, yet experienced(think of someone like Baez, Araujo, Esparza and at 27 and one of the older players, Medina…they’re our Fabregas and Van Persies). They have the same idea of flowing football, and continuing with the youth can only continue to give good results. It may not be in this tournament, but it sure will be in the near future.

Truth be told, the praise may be premature. Pachuca arrived with a win over Puebla, but the rest of their season so far has been far more mixed. However, with the performance given by the team it’s hard to not get excited about the prospects in the upcoming weeks.

Why not go with Mora and Torres from now on? Why not bring up other youth products? It may be far-fetched to expect a ‘Chicharito’ to emerge right away, but why not start developing him. Even if one of the youth players scores five goals, it will probably be five more goals that ‘Bofo’ would have scored.

Now, I’m not completely bashing on poor ‘Bofo.’ At one point he helped Chivas…all the way to their 11th title. But that was during his prime time. When he wasn’t on the field, Chivas had pace. They were quick. ‘Bofo’ made it on to the field and the team immediately turned into the team we’d been seeing last season and most of the games this season. They were slow. And guess why. ‘Bofo.’ But it’s not his time now. He had his time, and now it’s over.

The next game is against Jaguares. They’ve had a bad streak(they’ve lost all games since the third round of play) and hopefully Chivas can add another game to that.

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And sorry all for the long absence between posts. I’ve been super busy, but I’ll try to schedule my time a little better.

But, you can follow us on twitter to receive up to date Chivas news.

Mediotiempo.com photo credit

There’s little to say about this game except that it did not live up to the hype of a “Clasico.” That goat in the picture? Pretty much the most exciting thing about the game.

I admit, I almost fell asleep several times.

America held more opportunities during the game, but the ever trusty Luis Michel saved the team over and over again. Matias Vuoso and Vicente Sanchez looked very dangerous, but luck was with Michel. Similar things can be said about Guillermo Ochoa as well. Of course, he wasn’t tested as much as Michel, but he prevented Arellano and Enriquez from scoring. The point here is that Michel again excelled.

Now, on to the defense. Ay, ay, ay…where do we start. The back is extremely flawed. Is it the lack of experience? One thing for sure is that they need to communicate. They all constantly crashed into each other which made things back there even more dangerous. One thing that irks me is that Hector Reynoso is captain. Perhaps on “experience” and years with the team he deserves it, but he is not captain material. However, that topic deserves a post all on its own.

And up front it’s crystal clear that there is not one to score goals. Arellano and Fabian have shown potential for quite a while, but circumstances have taken them out of the game for long periods of times. Chivas needs a goalscorer…they need someone like Chicharito(that type of work ethic, commitment).

Right now with 16 points, it seems very difficult for Chivas to get into the playoffs.
Toluca, Santos, Cruz Azul and Monterrey are currently the top teams and they’re the ones that are next on the schedule.

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Flooded pitch...Credit Mexsport

The ball was scheduled to roll on Saturday night, but torrential rains prevented the game from taking place. The ball couldn’t bounce on the waterlogged pitch, and the game was moved to midday Sunday.

The game wasn’t played at the highest level. You can attribute that to the pitch, or the two teams. That has to be said.

The first half wasn’t great. Then, both teams got into a rhythm and it looked like Tigres were on the verge of scoring every two minutes.

The scored a goal mere seconds into the start of the second half from Acuna. It was a great time to hit the team since things were settling.

However, that goal added a new spark to the game. While Tigres became more defensive, Chivas started to attack more.

Finally, in the 71st minute Chivas equalized. Miguel Ponce had taken a shot, and it bounced of Juninho into the back of the net for the 1-1.

Though Chivas weren’t playing at their best, it’s hard to deny that they didn’t at least deserve that one point. Other recent times the team might have shrunk back into the shadows and relied on Michel, but this time they tried to move forward and attack. Though Tigres might have merited their lead, they practically threw it away once they began to defensively protect it.

There was a different attitude from the team, and it’s nice to see that change because hopefully things will turn around.

The next game is against Atlas in the CLASICO!!!!!!!!!!! The game will be played at the new Omnilife Stadium on Sunday against the rival team. This game would be a great one to win. Not only because they are rivals, but because it would be a big morale boost going into the later part of the schedule. And if there’s a team that’s been doing worse than Chivas, it’s Atlas. They won their most current game against Puebla, but that’s been their only win of the season. The rest include 1 draw and everything else is a loss. This game is important, vital, to Atlas because they are almost a complete lock for relegation. Their team is in disarray, supporters are going mad…and well, it’s just not a good time for them. A victory would perhaps mean more to them than to Chivas at this time.

And, don’t forget to follow the blog on Twitter! Sometimes it takes a little longer to update the blog, but you can get your English language Chivas news almost as it happens.

Mediotiempo.com Picture

Chivas:
1 Luis Michel
19 Jonny Magallón (YC 29′)
21 Christian Pérez (Jorge Enríquez 65′)
2 Mario de Luna
16 Miguel Ponce (YC 17′)
5 Patricio Araujo (YC 55′ & 78′) (RC 78′)
18 Xavier Báez
8 Marco Fabián
7 Adolfo Bautista (Michel Vázquez 40′)
9 Omar Arellano (Jesús Sánchez 46′)
17 Omar Bravo (RC 33′)

This game is one to forget. Terrible defensive mistakes, and three goals for an ex-Chivas player. Who knew Carlos Ochoa had that in him? To my recollection, he never really showed that he had those types of performances in him. All came from extreme defensive mistakes in the 14′, 91′, 94′.

To be fair, the 10 men down at the 33rd minute didn’t help either. But, it was a fair red card. Bravo went in with that ankle crushing tackle and deserved that red. The referee, Mauricio Morales, lost control of the game and that didn’t help. Although ‘Pato’s’ red came later in the game, 9 men didn’t help the situation.

Three goals flew past Michel, but he’s not to blame. The scoreline could have been higher if it weren’t for Michel. He’s truly been a savior this season. I just don’t know what’s wrong with this team. The “the team’s too young/inexperienced” excuse is really not applicable. Sure, they are young but they have plenty of experience. They went through last season when all the national team players were taken away. They fought in the Libertadores and gave performances of a lifetime.

The next game is against Tigres. I’d give my predictions, but with the recent performances it’s possible that something will go wrong. Results have been mixed, but the latest encounter went to Chivas. Tigres have lost three times this season, but their latest game was a win. Defensively they’re a mid-table team this season and it’s about the same with the offense. Although Chivas have only let in six goals this season, they’ve had trouble scoring and that’s the thing that’s really screwing the team over. As a wise man once said, the team that scores more goals wins the game.

Pachuca and Chivas split points on Saturday night in the battle between Mexico’s first team and Mexico’s team.

Pato Araujo and Faustino Arizala each scored a goal to give their teams a point.

Chivas going out against Pachuca with Michel, De Luna, Ponce, Jonny, Pérez, Araujo, Báez, “Bofo”, Fabian, Arellano, Bravo.

Both teams tried to attack from the start, but neither had too much luck. Most of the shots taken ended up flying far from the net.

One shot in the 14th minute by Cvitanich tested Luis Michel, but the Chivas goalkeeper showed his reflexes with a spectacular save.

It wasn’t until the 40th minute that Chivas had any luck. Pato took a shot from far out that didn’t have too much behind it. However, Miguel Calero couldn’t control the ball and it rolled into the back of the net.

In the second half, it didn’t take too long for Pachuca to equalize. Faustino Arizala headed in a ball into the net to make the score 1-1.

Ten minutes later Michel made the save again. Cvitanich went up against Michel and almost had a clear path at the goal, but his shot ended up hitting the goalkeeper first to end up going wide.

Next, it was Chivas’ turn in the 75th minute to almost double the scoring. Omar Bravo received the ball with his chest, but had trouble controlling it to lay it perfectly in his path. Miguel Calero was able to push it away and prevented the player from scoring.

Near the end of the game several small fights broke out. Xavi Baez went into a tackle a little to harsh and the Pachuca player retaliated by pushing Baez. Bravo didn’t take to that to well and went to retaliate.

There was more that escalated later in the game. In all honesty, both sides deserved at least a red card each. The game was pretty heated and shouldn’t have escalated to those levels. However, part of the blame also goes to the referee. He didn’t have much control over the game.

As for Chivas, they didn’t play too well. Luis Michel had to save the team too many times. I don’t think a win would have been fair because the team did not play well, so a draw works out. But the team is improving, slightly.

The next game is against Jaguares. They won this weekend by putting four past Puebla. Now, this might seem to indicate that they are doing pretty well, but in all reality they really are not. That was their first win of the season, and Puebla hasn’t had a solid record. So, if Chivas are on the ascent this will be another great game to get back on track with points.

Credit AP

In a non-too difficult game, Chivas beat Estudiantes 3-0.

As opposed to the game against Pumas, the new Omnilife stadium was filled to the brim with supporters. It was “fan day” at the stadium and tickets were going for only 20 pesos.

Credit to AP

Before the start of the game, Ramon Morales was given a special recognition. He now plays with Estudiantes, but he will always be in the minds of the Chivas fans. He gave over 10 years of service to the club and rightfully deserved more than he was given. The club had initially talked about playing a testimonial, but that doesn’t seem like anytime soon.

Omar Bravo scored the first goal in the 37th minute thanks to a pass from Marco Fabian. The game marked Bravo’s 300th appearance in the league and he celebrated with a goal.

Michel Vasquez scored his first goal in the league in the 74th minute. Marco Fabian sent a nice pass to Vasquez, who then sent it straight past Rodriguez for the 2-0.

After showing his influence over the course of the game, Marco Fabian made it on to the scoreboard in the 90th minute.

Overall, a large improvement over recent weeks. Marco Fabian has been on the top of his game. Omar Bravo is returning to his old self. Nothing so far can replace what Chivas had in Hernandez last season, but going towards this is a start.

The next game is against Pachuca on September 11, and the opponents are already talking trash.

Pachuca haven’t done too well this season; they have three losses, two draws and just one win so it’s another good opportunity to continue to build up the momentum towards a positive place.

But I’ll try to better. I really will try.

Anyways, most are aware that Chivas have not been doing well. They score .5 goals every game, so that has really dried up. Chivas has 5 points from four games, but the team needs to make up two games. Things don’t look too good, but after looking at the stats it doesn’t end up that bad. Assuming that they win both games and get the six points, then that would put them up high. But, it’s always better to have the points in hand than those two games.

But…at Mexican newspaper website, Mural.com, they posted a video on why Chivas may not be doing so well at the new stadium.

A home video shows Atlas fans burying their team’s artifacts underneath the new stadium while it was being constructed in hopes of cursing the new home. But it’s really because they only have one championship win, while Chivas have 11. Yes, count them. They’re right on the lovely crest(Just in case the Atlas fans don’t really know what they look like, they’re the stars).

A vaguely remember a similar situation happening in the Boston Red Sox/Yankees rivalry. Hopefully, something of the Red Sox’s time frame doesn’t apply here.

I’d watch it without the audio. Your ears will hurt after a while.

Inter’s home crowd celebrated the final more at the Beiro-Rio than the Guadalajra crowd at the Omnilife Stadium. However, things turned sour during the national anthems. Mexico’s national anthem was cut short and the players looked upset. ‘Bofo’ walked away and started to warm up while the rest of the players started to converse during the Brazilian national anthem. The home crowd showed their displeasure at the move by starting to boo.

First Half

The game started off with Inter de Porto Alegre imposing upon Chivas. The referee chopped much of the flow of the game, calling many fouls.

In the 9th minute Mario de Luna was given a yellow card. He had cleanly gotten to the ball, but the referee deemed it a card worthy offense.

Indio responded in the 10th minute by sending a header straight at the goal, but Luis Michel was there to deal with it.

A few minutes later Marco Fabian was given a yellow card for going into a tackle from behind.

In the 22nd minute it was Fabian that tried a long distance shot on goal. The right footed shot just passed by the post.

Luis Michel saved for Chivas in the 23rd minute. Inter went on goal and looked like they had a goal, but Michel saved a close shot. On the rebound Inter went on the attack, but then was called offside.

Chivas scored the first goal in the 41st minute. Omar Bravo jumped up for the header and sent it toward the path of Fabian. Fabian then received the ball, pivoted and did a bicycle kick toward to goal to equalize on the aggregate score.

Second Half

In the 53rd minute Kleber sent a thru ball to Rafael Sobis to go up against the goalkeeper, but Luis Michel left his goal with perfect timing and blocked the ball for what looked like a sure-goal.

Inter equalized in the secondly leg in the 61st minute with a goal from Rafael Sobis. Kleber sent in the ball for Sobis who received right in front of goal to poke it past Luis Michel.

Michel saved in the 69th minute. A shot from Inter was heading straight at goal. But Michel made it in time.

Chivas looked like they had the equalizer a minute later when Fabian received in front of goal, but Renan Brito blocked the shot and sent it high and away.

Leandro scored a second for Inter in the 75th minute. Fabian lost the ball and Magallon was unable to catch up with the player. Leandro took a hard show and it hit Luis Michel as he made his way out, but it wasn’t enough to send it on a different path and it made its way into the goal.

‘Bofo’ tried to get Chivas back into the game in the 77th minute, but his shot went high and wide of goal.

Arellano was sent off in the 85th minute for a tackle on D’Alessandro and Chivas were reduced to ten men.

In the 90th minute Inter scored a third goal in the game. Giuliano made his way through the Chivas defense and sent one rolling in to the back of the net for the 3-1 score.

Aggregate was 5-2.

At the end of the game a fan jumped onto the pitch and spat on Marco Fabian. Fights broke out. Araujo left with a busted eyebrow.

Mexsport picture

The second leg of the game will be played next Wednesday August 18th in Brazil.

Chivas were dominated in the first half of the game. They were constantly pushed back into their side and constantly looked in trouble.

But, the team built up and made it up top. Adolfo ‘Bofo’ Bautista went toward goal and perfectly headed a ball over the goalkeeper and sent it into the back of the net right before the half time whistle blew.

Despite being outplayed, Chivas left with the advantage.

Back for the second half, Inter continued to dominate. The equalizer came in the 72nd minute. Guliano Victor de Paula received the ball from Kleber and headed it straight into the net. The Chivas defense had left the player open and Luis Michel could do little about it.

It didn’t take long for Inter to add a second.

Fabian Guedes was left alone and headed the ball into the back of the net. Immediately Inter grabbed on to the score and Chivas turned to the defensive.

The second leg will be played next week in Brazil.

Just because Chivas lost doesn’t mean this final is over. Away goals don’t count as much, although it was have been nice to take an advantage. The field was supposed to help the team a bit, but that wasn’t a factor tonight. This wasn’t the same team that showed up against Chile. This team looked scared and weak.

The referee, Baldassi, also unfortunately seemed to strongly favor the Brazilian side. Countless fouling went on between the teams but the visitors dished out the worst. One example was Xavi Baez getting slapped across the face, yet the player was just spoken to. This had gone on for a while, but little was given to the Mexican team.

To say that the loss was completely unfair is a lie because Chivas didn’t work hard enough to earn it. Their usual style was thrown out the window and Real tried to park the bus too early and that back fired.

Now, it’s on to Brazil. Tickets have already sold out there so the environment will be a huge factor.

Hopefully Chivas can revert this bad result not only for this competition but for the general stadium as well. This was the first official game at the new house and it would be a shame for this bad luck to hang around.

Until next time follow Chivas on twitter at ChivasOffside

On Saturday night Chivas won 1-0 against San Luis at the Alfonso Lastras stadium.

Many of the Chivas players were sporting a shaved head, signifying their debuts in the Primera Division as the team was make-shift in preparation for the Copa Libertadores final against Inter de Porto Alegre.

First Half

San Luis had the opening opportunity with Osmar Mares trying to catch Luis Michel off his line, but Michel was able to get a gloved hand on it.

Bofo tried to respond in the 12th minute, but his close-distanced shot went over the goal.

One of Chivas’ new faces, Dionicio Escalante saved off the line in the 16th minute after a close shot resulting from a corner kick.

However, in the 20th minute Marco Fabian scored one for Chivas. San Luis failed to properly clear with the goalkeeper swatting it back into play. Fabian received outside the box and took the shot, sending it toward goal with power for Chivas’ goal.

Oviedo had a chance for Chivas a few moments later as well, but as he sent in his shot the angle was to large and the ball went just wide.

Second Half

Michel Vasquez had an opportunity in the 65th minute by going into the box, but Trejo made the easy save.

One of San Luis’ best opportunity came in the 85th minute when Arroyo took a shot outside the area, but Ponce got in the way. The ball rebounded off his leg, and then his able but nothing was called on the Chivas player.

With the 1-0 win, Chivas earned their first win of the season and now has a total of four points for this tournament in group one. They have played one less game then the other teams and the upcoming game against Estudiantes is in the process of being postponed because of the Copa Libertadores final.

Overall the team did a decent job. They had difficulty for long periods of time, especially after the opening moments of the second half as many of the first team regulars were taken off the field. The new players, sporting the interesting ‘dos did well. They didn’t seem to have nerves regarding their debuts so that’s always great to see. Despite speculations that all of the first team players might have been kept out of the game many appeared tonight and gave respect to San Luis.

We’ll see how the team does against Inter midweek. Hopefully they take a strong lead into the second game.

And…make sure to follow ChivasOffside on Twitter for the latest updates.