CARSON, Calif. – Chivas USA defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps by 1-0 in a preseason scrimmage game on Friday afternoon, the last day of preseason at Casa Grande, AZ, for the Red-and-White. Chivas USA now returns to Los Angeles and will continue with preseason training next Tuesday at The Home Depot Center.
Jesus Padilla’s goal came when the Goats’ holdover from last season broke through the Whitecaps’ offside trap onto a long-ball from Michael Umaña in the 89th minute.
The Whitecaps’ best scoring chance came off the foot of Brazilian trialist Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo, who scorched a shot that was steered wide by Chivas USA’s Zach Thornton in the 76th minute.
Chivas USA’s defense was anchored by Jimmy Conrad and Zarek Valentin, but Friday’s game also saw the debut of recently acquired defender Heath Pearce. The former FC Dallas fixture logged 30 minutes at right back before Umaña took his place.
The Goats started Alejandro Moreno at the top of a unique 4-1-4-1 formation, with Gordon and Blair Gavin anchoring the central midfield. Victor Estupiñan took Moreno’s spot in the second half but couldn’t generate a real scoring chance before Padilla’s goal saved the day.
