Chivas encouraged by improved effort

CARSON, Calif. -- Though Chivas USA failed to gain the full points from their California rivals, the San Jose Earthquakes, in Saturday's scoreless draw, players and coaches alike were heartened by the improved play of a team that was shellacked by the Houston Dynamo 4-0 in their last game.

It's been a tough period for a team that has made a lot of changes since the start of the season. Some of the moves were foreseeable, such as the transfer of goalkeeper Brad Guzan that led to the arrival of league veteran Zach Thornton.

Against the Earthquakes, Thornton was especially looking to redeem himself after giving up four goals in one half of play to the Dynamo at midweek.

"It was very important [for Chivas USA to come back with a good game]," said Thornton. "We started well and had a good second half and limited their chances."

Though Chivas USA controlled much of the play, Thornton did his part to keep his team's clean sheet, making a highlight-reel save on a Ronnie O'Brien shot in the 85th minutes.

"I think tonight was Zach Thornton's best game since he's been with the team," said midfielder Sacha Kljestan.

Chivas USA pushed forward, looking for the goal in the game's final moments, but the Earthquakes also had their chances to steal the game. Darren Huckerby's shot in the closing seconds of the game was saved by Thornton.

"I just wanted to keep it zero and give the team a chance to get their goal," said Thornton.

Though Thornton wasn't with the team the last time they faced San Jose on July 5, it was a late-game goal that won that game.

Ante Razov and Alecko Eskandarian had a few opportunities for Chivas USA, but their definition was lacking.

"We had like 10 chances," said Chivas USA coach Preki. "They had like one or two."

One Chivas USA stalwart was missed in the midfield, even as Sacha Kljestan returned to the field. Jesse Marsch is expected to miss five more weeks as his fractured jaw heals. Kljestan, who had been absent with the U.S. Olympic team then the full national team, did his best to compensate.

"It's always tough when you don't have a guy who has started every game of the season," Kljestan said. "In my two and a half years in this league, I think every game I've started, Jesse has as well. We have a good relationship. It's tough when you take out one of the links of the team that has been there since the beginning, but it happens to everybody."

Though it took the midfield a while to find their rhythm, Kljestan and his teammates created more opportunities in the second half.

"Paulo (Nagamura) and I did pretty well in the midfield," Kljestan said. "The guys who came in who aren't regular starters, like (Kraig) Chiles and Jorge (Flores), I think did real well too." Though the team didn't win, the clean sheet was an important boost to the team psyche as the squad heads to international play this Tuesday in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Thornton didn't think that the upcoming contest against Panama's Tauro FC had distracted Chivas USA from league play.

"We needed the points [vs. San Jose]." Said Thornton. "We needed to move up in the table if we're going to make the playoffs."

Kljestan believed the effort the team showed versus the Quakes indicated Chivas was ready to make a run.

"I don't think we really skipped a beat since I've been back," Kljestan said. "Things went well, just in the final third, we didn't get a goal."