CARSON, Calif. -- Chivas USA needed goals desperately in Saturday's second leg of their Western Conference Semifinal Series against Real Salt Lake. Trailing the total-goals series by a goal, a quick response was necessary to keep the Red-and-White's playoff hopes alive.
And although Chivas USA struck in the first half, it was Real Salt Lake's quickness that ultimately decided the series. Dema Kovalenko scored nine minutes after Sacha Kljestan put the hosts ahead and Chivas USA never recovered as the two teams tied 2-2, a result that left Chivas USA out of the postseason.
"We came here, pushed the game, get a lead but we just couldn't hold on to it," Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "There were a lot of little turning points in the series I feel like and we just ended up coming up on the short end of most of it."
Chivas USA have now bowed out of the MLS Cup Playoffs in the first round three years running. The difference from last year's exit was the offense, however, as a year ago Chivas USA lost on a 1-0 aggregate score.
On Saturday, Kljestan and Justin Braun scored on either side of halftime. Kljestan's goal was the one the club had longed for, converting a penalty kick in the 30th minute to level the aggregate score.
"I thought that was a good break for us," Marsch said. "When you get a goal that early, you've got to feel good about yourself. We felt good with the way things were going."
RSL, though, answered quickly. Needing to move forward to look for offense, the visitors found it as Morales picked out Kovalenko at the edge of the six-yard box for a lunging, glancing header inside the far post.
The goal destroyed whatever momentum Kljestan's penalty had given them.
"We wanted to push the game," Chivas USA forward Ante Razov said. "We pushed it and pushed it. We had chances in the fist half, got a goal and gave one right back before halftime. That was devastating."
With Chivas USA fighting and scrapping their way for a goal, the club had little time to try and add to their edge.
"After that it was very disappointing we gave up such a soft goal," Chivas head coach Preki said. "And then it's difficult in the second half. We had to throw people forward, make changes, adjustments and you leave gaps behind in the defense."
Alecko Eskandarian came on at halftime while Braun joined the fray 10 minutes later. But it was the visitors who struck again. Robbie Findley won a ball on the left corner of the penalty area and fed Morales on the left side of the box. Morales slipped a slow-rolling shot across the goal line from 15 yards out.
"The second goal was just absolutely soft, the softest goal ever," Preki said.
Zach Thornton started both playoff games. Dan Kennedy had been sent off in the season finale against Houston and Thornton replaced Kennedy in that match and ultimately for the remainder of the season.
"Zach was the No. 1 and Kennedy had a good spell and then he gets the red card," Preki said. "We thought (Thornton) had a good game in Salt Lake, he was sharp. It's not a good thing for the group to change the goalkeeper every week. He played last game and he was solid."
Thornton took the blame for allowing the goal.
"I'm not making excuses," he said. "I went out to try and close him and try back in the goal. I was set but he just finished it well. That's the game."
Chivas USA kept fighting for the equalizer and pulled a goal back. Braun scored in the 83rd minute when he scored from 18 yards out but the goal was not enough. Chivas USA mounted a late surge but could not add to their tally.
"I have to give my guys credit. They never put their heads down. We were just a little bit unlucky to get another goal," Preki said.
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