KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Thirty minutes, a collision that some thought should have resulted in a red card, and a miserable first half put Chivas USA in the loss column Saturday night.
The 30 minutes apply to all three variables of the loss. Chivas came storming back after falling behind 3-0 -- as the Kansas City Wizards scored three goals in just a little more than 30 minutes. They came within two late Kevin Hartman saves of tying the game.
"We showed a lot of character in the second half after getting down 3-0. We never quit," said Chivas coach Preki.
The game nearly turned when Chivas forward Atiba Harris who collided with Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. The foul resulted in a penalty kick which was nailed into the corner by Chivas midfielder Carey Talley.
"I thought Atiba did a good job to win that penalty," Talley said. "He took a pretty hard foul from Hartman. To be honest, I was surprised there wasn't a red card given."
Referee Ricardo Salazar contended that there were two defensive players behind Hartman, according to Talley. One goal cut the deficit to two. But an ejection of Hartman would have arguably a bigger effect on the match. Hartman preserved the win with two late saves.
"We had a great last 30 minutes," Talley said. "But to be honest, you put that great 30 minutes in the earlier part of the game and you've got a 2-0 lead. And you do not have to come back and score three goals."
Seemingly, the one thing Chivas could agree on was their sluggish beginning. Oddly enough, Chivas had the same amount of shots in each half. Eight shots in each half added up to a 16-11 advantage on the night, but not on the scoreboard where it mattered.
"We came out a little slow," said midfielder Lawson Vaughn.
What Chivas takes home from Kansas City is questions. Questions about the slow start in the first half. How to inject the offensive power of those final 30 minutes into the start of the match? Does this team like to play from behind?
"I think we have to figure it out for ourselves why we haven't come out sharp," Talley said.
If the passion of those 30 minutes could be condensed and dropped throughout Chivas' next matches, this team could be in good shape. As it is, they are currently on the outside looking in at the MLS Cup Playoffs.
"We gave up that third goal, and that was a little too much to come back from," said goalkeeper Zach Thornton. "The guys showed a lot of pride and desire in the second half, and they got rewarded with two goals. That should be enough to get a result on the road but we didn't get that today."
TIGER TURNS IT ROUND AFTER SLOW START
Germany blunder their way to loss
Chivas happy to have Talley
