CARSON, Calif -- Chivas USA was able to sneak past the Montreal Impact at The Home Depot Center Wednesday night, winning 2-1 in front of 10,376 fans. Both clubs seemed content with sharing a point, until two 77' substitutions changed the face of the match. Juan Pablo Angel and Alejandro Moreno scored for Chivas.
As the match started to slow down, Chivas coach Robin Fraser made two substitutions in the 77' bringing on Jorge Villafana and Juan Pablo Angel. These subs proved to be the difference, as in the 81' Villafana found himself with the ball on the right side of the pitch. He sent in a cross that fell right to Juan Pablo Angel, who only had to nod to redirect the game winning goal.
On the opening goal, Chivas got a clean shot at Donovan Ricketts, but who exactly scored was unclear at first. Cesar Romero sent in a corner kick, and Juan Agudelo was able to get on the end of it running in from the top of the box. Agudelo's volley went in, but not before deflecting off Alejandro Moreno who was boxing out his marker. Moreno was credited with the goal, which was likely going in even before the deflection.
Montreal was able to get the equalizer just before halftime. From a central attacking position, Davy Arnaud received the ball on the right wing. He sent in a cross for a sprinting Felipe Martins, who one touch flicked the ball past Dan Kennedy and tucked just inside the far post. The equalizer made it 1-1 at halftime.
Next up for Chivas then have to travel to FC Dallas, for their third match in eight days. They'll try to find a bit of magic to push them through the difficult time and stay ahead of the suddenly resurgent LA Galaxy in the Western Conference standings.