Chivas finishes in 7th place in club finale

By Pearl Allison Lo

CARSON– Felix Borja scored the game winner as Chivas USA shut out their conference rivals, the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0, in the teams’ season finale, but perhaps club finale for Chivas, Sunday.

With both teams desperate for a win, the win clinched the season series for the Goats as they won with the lead before halftime for just the second time this season. It was a satisfying finish, especially if the team is to be sold.

San Jose finished with a club-record 15-game winless streak and just one win on the road as they ended the season in last place.

Chivas’ Erick Torres hit the far post a second time after defender Victor Bernardez lost him, and then eventually backed off so he wouldn’t foul Torres. Borja then cleaned up Torres’ rebound in the 33rd minute. Goalie Jon Busch was defending the near post, Busch visibly frustrated, among other, throughout the first half.

San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski had two opportunities, but neither showed on the stat sheet until he got the Quakes’ first shot and shot on goal during the 22nd minute.

In the 28th minute, Chivas’ Leandro Barrera, who was always around the net, got a free kick. Eric Avila’s shot went over the net.

The Goats had the majority of the opportunities, outshooting San Jose 9-3 in the first half. Torres had four shots and Borja had three shots. Chivas seemed like they had the majority of the possession but the Quakes did, though San Jose was only able to get one shot on goal.

Quakes’ Cordell Cato came in for Pablo Pintos in the second half.

The Quakes started with some early opportunities, Wondolowski with a header in the 48th minute and Yannick Djalo with a shot in the 49th minute.

Play mainly stayed on the offensive side for San Jose until the 62nd minute, where the Goats started to challenge.

Busch, who tied fellow goalkeeper Joe Cannon’s club record for single saves in a season during the first half, broke it during the second.

San Jose would have tied and maybe eventually have won the game, but a goal at the 68th minute was taken back due to a foul by Atiba Harris.

The Quakes led in opportunities in the second, with five shots to Chivas’ one. The Goats had more clearances than San Jose, 16-3.

Game notes: There wasn’t a red card this game, but the teams combined for 30 fouls. The supporter groups for Chivas, the Union Ultras and Black Army 1850 were on the field before the game, and stayed through the anthem as the teams joined them.  There were no changes to the Earthquakes starting lineup this game. There were three changes for the Goats, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Eric Avila and Oswaldo Minda for Eriq Zavaleta, who suffered a hamstring injury last game, Marvin Chavez, who was suspended last game and Matthew Dunn. On October 23, San Jose announced their 2014 Club Award Winners: Shea Salinas for Humanitarian, of the Year, Busch for Defensive MVP and Wondolowski for Offensive MVP. The Quakes will start 2015 in their brand new stadium.