Chivas USA and the Chicago Fire played a close one at The Home Depot Center, but the Fire were able to get the game winning goal in extra time to make it five straight home losses for Chivas USA to begin the season. The Goats did manage to get their first goal at home on the year. The final score was 1-2 in favor of Chicago.
Marco Pappa scored the game winner two minutes into stoppage, when Chicago had been on the offensive for most of the last quarter of the match. It took some amazing diving and jumping saves from Dan Kennedy to keep it level. Frederico Puppo found Pappa with some space just outside the box on the right, and Pappa sent a screamer to finally beat Kennedy in the bottom left corner. Kennedy had saved a Pavel Pardo attempt at the top right corner at the start of stoppage time.
In the 22', Chivas were awarded a penalty after Alejandro Moreno was brought down inside the box by Austin Berry. Juan Pablo Angel stepped up to take the penalty and went left as the keeper went right to give Chivas USA it's first goal and it's first lead at home in the 2012 MLS campaign.
For the goats, this was the end of two rather unfortunate streaks. Chivas had been held scoreless for two straight matches for the second time in MLS. They had three such streaks in 2011. Chivas were also last in the league in total goals scored, with just four. The last time Chivas played Chicago, Juan Pablo Angel scored two goals, one for each team. Chivas are now tied with the Philadelphia Union for fewest goals in MLS, which is probably not a cause for celebration just yet.
The bigger issue for Chivas is conceding goals. Their defense is known for playing tough, this is the first time this season Chivas have dropped three points from the leading position. For Chicago, in the six matches they've trailed this season, they have won two, tied two, and lost two.
Chicago was quick to equalize, however, with the man who gave up the penalty, Berry, answering back three minutes later. The defender found himself alone in the box with the ball after Chivas failed to clear on a goal kick. Sebastian Grazzini was the one to find Berry in the box, and Berry was quick to kick it in bringing the score level.