MLS: Victorine Strike Keeps Chivas USA Rolling

Chivas USA 2 – 1 Kansas City Wizards

Chivas USA have solidified their position in the playoff race as the Goats overwhelmed the Kansas City Wizards at the Home Depot Center Saturday night with a 2-1 victory. The Wizards were haunted by the revengeful former player Sasha Victorine, who contributed an assist and the game winning goal for Chivas USA.
 
First Half
Chivas dominated much of the first half by making goalkeeper Kevin Hartman busy minding the pipelines. Chivas constantly confused and frustrated the Kansas City backline with speed and quickness.

Healthy again, Alecko Eskandarian proved to be too quick for the Wizards as he created many dangerous opportunities before finally connecting for his 4th goal of the campaign in the 26th minute. The goal was created by a strong buildup by the Chivas midfield. Victorine, far left, was released by a pinpoint long ball from Ante Razov. His cross into the penalty area found Eskandarian, who touched the ball into the right corner of the net.

Chivas continued to pressure throughout the second half. Captain Ante Razov suffered an injury in the 30th minute and was replaced by rookie Justin Braun, who's imposing physical stature complicated things for the 'Zards.

Kansas City managed to challenge the Chivas backline a few times but goalkeeper John Kennedy impressed throughout the game. After earning back the starting spot due to Zach Thornton’s injury, Kennedy was effective coming off the line and showcased timely awareness.

As the first half entered stoppage time, Victorine punished his former team with what would ultimately be the game winner. In an attack assisted by Atiba Harris and Sacha Kljestan, Victorine blasted a shot from the center top of the box that curled into the upper right corner of the goal.

Second Half
The Wizards, needing to revitalize their attack, replaced Tyson Wahl with Argentine forward Claudio Lopez. But it was forward Herculez Gomez who proved to be dangerous in the second half, creating a couple optimistic chances in the first 10 minutes.

The game became more physical as Kansas City fought their way back. On a breakaway attempt in the 55th minute, Klejstan raced with defender Jimmy Conrad to a possible 1v1 chance against keeper Kevin Hartman. Conrad gave a blow to Kljestan's neck as the play was broken up. Conrad was issued a yellow card.

Veteran forward Josh Wolff finally cut the Chivas lead in half and silenced the rhythmic drums and chants of the Home Depot Center crowd with a highlight reel goal in the 70th minute. Herculez Gomez took a corner kick for the Wizards. The Chivas defense failed to clear and a poor header from Atiba Harris saw the ball loop back into the penalty area. Wolff converted a lucky opportunity with bicycle kick into the lower right corner.

Kansas City was reborn, and they pressured the home team with budding confidence. The Wizards best chance to equalize came in the 89th minute with a shot by Lopez, who connected well with the left foot from 25 yards, but the shot ultimately skimmed over the woodwork.

Chivas USA improve to an overall record of 10-10-6 and move into stronger contention for playoff spot, sitting second in the West with 36 points. The Wizards chances of postseason play now look slim, but they remain two points out of the final wildcard spot. They will hope DC United, the team just in front of them, will fall to FC Dallas on Sunday.

-- Ronnie Nurss, Goal.com