Chivas USA vs. Ventura County Fusion: FIRST HALF UPDATES

Here's how this will work: we'll keep updating this post as the first half goes along - refresh your browser to see the updates! Starting lineups are in the post below this one. Remember, this is a benefit match for the Michael Hoefflin Foundation - visit http://www.mhf.org/ for more information.

5:00 (0') - Kickoff!

1' - Back-and-forth action as the teams get used to the turf here in Cougar Stadium. The Union Ultras are out in force in a special section of the stands, loud in voice and waving flags.

3' - Chivas USA earns a corner when Paulo Nagamura's cross is deflected out. Jamie Franks takes the corner, which is headed out for a goal kick by Leo Bautista, a defender from Venezuela on trial with the Red-and-White.

5' - The first real chance for the Red-and-White as Chris Cortez springs Jesse Marsch in on the goalkeeper, but Ventura's Trevor Stiles gets to the ball first and keeps Chivas USA from getting on the board.

8' - GOAL! Chivas USA gets on the board. A throw-in comes in to Eduardo Lillingston, who heads the ball down for Jonathan Bornstein, who slots past Stiles in the Ventura net.

9' - The Fusion make a pair of runs at the Chivas USA net immediately after the goal, but one cross goes out for a goal kick, and the next is blocked and cleared.

12' - Almost 2-0 for Chivas USA as Chris Cortez gets on the end of Lillingston's cross, but Stiles makes a nice low save. Cortez gets on the end of another cross after the corner kick, but his header goes over the net.

16' - Dan Gargan commits a foul near the corner of the box and Ventura's free kick sails out for a goal kick.

17' - Lillingston and Cortez are working well together up front - Stiles is forced to make another save on Lillingston after a quick give-and-go between the pair.

20' - The Chivas USA flanks are being manned by a pair of former teammates - Jamie Franks is on the left, and Mike Lahoud is on the right side; the two played four years together at Wake Forest University and were both selected by the Red-and-White in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 15.

25' - Another corner kick for the Red-and-White, who are holding possession and trying to translate that into chances. Franks takes the corner, and Dan Gargan gets on the end of it but he heads high and wide.

26' - Gargan hits a cross into the middle, but Lillingston's shot is directly at Stiles. Gargan, the right defender, is finding some space on his side and is working well with Lahoud, the right midfielder.

30' - Anthony Hamilton is working hard for Ventura, and gets in behind the Chivas USA defense but his cross goes over everyone and out for a throw-in. Hamilton is a UC Irvine grad who played for Chivas USA in 2007 and 2008 before joining the Fusion.

32' - Chivas USA comes as close as is possible to a second goal. Franks takes a corner which is cleared out to Gargan, who hits a 30 yard rocket that deflects off a defender and hits the post. The rebound falls to Lillingston, who finishes, but is ruled offside. Still 1-0 in favor of the Red-and-White.

33' - First substitution of the match, as Gilherme Mitrovitch checks into the match for Ventura, replacing Peter Savidis. Since this is a friendly, there are no restrictions on substitutions and there may be many subs for both teams.

36' - Lillingston continues strongly, hitting a shot from 25 yards that Stiles makes a diving save to put out for a corner. Bryan Byrne checks into the match for the Fusion, replacing Victor Polanco.

37' - GOAL! 2-0 Chivas USA. Franks hits another dangerous corner, which is headed past Stiles by Lillingston and is stopped on the line by a Fusion defender. The rebound fell to Jesse Marsch, who finished from less than one yard out.

40' - Lillingston with another chance, taking a free kick from 30+ yards right in the middle of the field. He hits the shot hard and on net, but Stiles makes the save.

5:45 p.m. Halftime! 2-0 Chivas USA on goals from Bornstein and Marsch. Lillingston has been dangerous all game, and Jamie Franks is giving the Red-and-White plenty of chances with good corner kicks. More from the second half in 10-15 minutes!