Chivas USA Defeat Cal FC 5-1 in Reserve Scrimmage

Chivas USA were back on the field this morning, hosting Cal FC, who you may recall beat the Portland Timbers last year during the U.S. Open Cup to go on a surprising run. Today, the MLS team prevailed, as the Goats won 5-1, powered by Tristan Bowen's hat trick.

Miller Bolanos got back into the scoring swing in this match to put the hosts up in the 7th minute, with an assist from Laurent Courtois. The score remained 1-0 until the 63rd minute, when Bowen stepped up and converted a penalty kick after Jorge Villafana drew it moments earlier. The rout was on from there, as Bowen got another goal a minute later on a jailbreak. Giovani Casillas got in on the act in the 75th minute, following a combination play with Carlos Alvarez, and Bowen capped off his day with his third goal in the 78th minute with a tap-in off an assist from Eric Avila. Cal FC managed to get a goal of their own in the 88th minute, when John Caceraes denied Chivas a clean sheet to go with their win.

Here was the starting lineup from the match for Chivas: Dan Kennedy; Emilio Orozco, Joaquin Velazquez, Carlos Borja; Jose Manuel Rivera, Marvin Iraheta, Marky Delgado, Josue Soto, Laurent Courtois; Miller Bolaños, Julio Morales

Subs that entered at the half were: Patrick McLain, Mario de Luna, Daniel Antunez, Bobby Burling, Eric Avila, Carlos Alvarez, Oswaldo Minda, Giovani Casillas, Jorge Villafaña, Tristan Bowen

It appears Morales was the only player to play the full match for the Goats, and Minda apparently only played 10 minutes, as a previously unannounced trialist, Ricardo Balderas, replaced him in the 56th minute. From what I could find, Balderas is from Mexico, but there appear to be two Ricardo Balderas' playing soccer right now. Both(?) appear to be defenders, but one Ricardo Balderas is apparently 20, and a product of San Luis' youth system, while the other is evidently 31 and has played for Pumas in Mexico and spent time with Uruguayan club Cerro Largo in 2009. In general, the info appears to be sketchy on both of the Ricardo Balderas, although there is more out there on the elder. Of course, current Director of Soccer Francisco Palencia finished his career at Pumas, so there may be a link there. As always, we'll have to see if the Balderas on trial sticks around, and if he does, who he is.

Chivas don't have an MLS game this weekend, but they'll be back at it next Saturday against the Colorado Rapids. As ever, reserve match results don't mean much, but hopefully this result puts them on a course to pick up where they left off in the league campaign.

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