GOATS GETTING THE SEASON OFF TO A GOOD START: TAKE 2

Coming off last week’s less than stellar performance, the Goats came into Sunday’s match against FC Dallas, looking to get the season started on the right foot. And like last week allowed the opponent a scary shot on goal before the end of the 1st minute of play.

“Here we go again”, this examiner thought to himself.

As the half wore on, the game play slowed. The team got better adjusted on the field. And again like last week, ended the first half all tied at 0.

The Goats got more aggressive in the 2nd half. But as fortune would have it, Dallas got the go ahead goal in the 57th minute. Barring any hiccups from the Dallas defense, they could have very easily gotten out of town with 3 points in tow. For today at least, it was Chivas USA who was gifted goals at the hand of a shaky defense. The first came courtesy of US International, Juan Agudelo, who rounded of Dallas defender Matt Hedges in the 68th minute, for a left strike that beat Goalkeeper Raul Fernandez.

Goats goal #2 came courtesy of Ecuadorian International, Oswaldo Minda. After a botched clearance by Dallas defender, George John, Minda was quick to pounce on the ball, curving just left of Fernandez.

Goal #3 was a bit ironic as it came when Dallas was pushing forward for the equalizer in stoppage time. In similar fashion to the Columbus Crew’s 3rd goal last week, the Goats were quick to kickstart a counter attack following a Dallas corner kick. The ensuing sequence of passes and final shot was a sight for sore eyes to many in attendance (yeah, yeah, insert joke here) who hadn’t seen the team win at the Apartment in nearly a year, let alone see the team win any match since last July.

3-1. To the victors goes the spoils. Now, about that so called “Clasico” next Sunday afternoon versus the team from down the hall. The neighbors will be coming off what promises to be difficult CONCACAF Champions League, winner take all, match on Wednesday. Can the Goats take advantage of the 3 days of extra rest along with a possible tired opponent?

We’ll find out next Sunday at 2pm. This, for the record, will see Goats as the road team.

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