Two goals in four minutes from Chivas USA midfielder Paulo Nagamura gave the Red-and-White a win in their Home Opener, the fourth straight year that Chivas USA has won its first home game of the MLS season.
Nagamura, who had two goals in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons, notched twice in a game for the first time in his MLS career. Both goals were low, right-footed shots to Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens’ right, with the first coming in the 55th minute from 25 yards and the second in the 59th minute from 15 yards.
The Rapids had taken the lead in the 38th minute when Ugo Ihemelu drove a shot which Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton saved, but the rebound fell directly to Omar Cummings, who scored from close range.
Three Chivas USA players made their MLS debuts in the match: Mexican First Division veterans Mariano Trujillo and Eduardo Lillingston both started the match, and the Red-and-White’s first round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, midfielder Michael Lahoud, entered the match as a substitute in the 56th minute.
Claudio Suárez, the player with the most international appearances in Mexican National Team history, addressed the media at halftime of the match alongside club President and CEO Shawn Hunter. Chivas USA announced yesterday that the legendary defender will return to the Red-and-White in 2009. You can listen to audios of the press conference below.
PHOTOS: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA
Audios
Click here to listen to Claudio Suárez talk (in Spanish) about his return with the Red-and-White (there's an English translation at the end of the soundbyte).
Click here to listen to Chivas USA President and CEO Shawn Hunter talk about Claudio's comeback.
Click here to listen to the post-game press conference with Preki and Paulo Nagamura.
Escuche aquí las declaraciones de Claudio Suárez sobre su regreso con los Rojiblancos en 2009 (there's an English translation at the end).
Escuche aquí a Claudio hablar sobre sus nuevos compañeros mexicanos en 2009, Eduardo Lillingston y Mariano Trujillo (English translation at the end).
Escuche aquí a Paulo Nagamura hablar sobre sus dos goles que le dieron la victoria a Chivas USA.
Escuche aquí a Maykel Galindo hablar sobre su actuación en el segundo tiempo en la victoria de Chivas USA.
