Razov rescues Chivas USA with finishing touch

A message shown on the jumbotron at the Home Depot Center read, “Ante Razov is not single, but thanks for asking.”

If that didn’t cement the fact that Razov was a hot commodity, then maybe scoring both goals Saturday, including the winner in injury time, will.

Chivas USA didn’t have its best game, but it did get the best result of the night, beating visiting Kansas City, 2-1, in front of an announced crowd of 13,214. The win put Chivas back in first place in the Western Conference standings and clinched a spot in the Major League Soccer playoffs.

“Tonight was probably one of the worst games we’ve played at home,” midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. “We can’t be happy with the way we played . . . because if we come out and play like that . . . we are not going to finish the season undefeated at home, but sometimes it shows that good teams can still get points on nights when they don’t play their best.”

And that’s exactly what happened for Chivas (14-6-5), which improved to 10-0-3 at home and extended its home-unbeaten streak to 13 games dating to last season.

Razov’s goals were his 10th and 11th of the season, giving him 109 in his career and moving him one ahead of Jason Kreis for second all time.

Razov’s first goal broke a scoreless tie in the 69th minute. The goal, a three-touch build up that started with second-half substitute Ramon Nuñez and Francisco “Panchito” Mendoza on the wing, was one of the few chances Chivas created. Kansas City (10-10-6) played a huge portion of the game with five players in the midfield, clogging up passing lanes.

“They made it difficult for us,” said Chivas Coach Preki. “They pressed us a little higher and we had to move the ball a little quicker. If you can see that’s how we scored the first goal, we moved the ball quickly.”

The Wizards wasted no time answering. Three minutes after Razov’s first goal, Eddie Johnson found himself inside the box taking a shot. Claudio Suarez dove in front of Johnson and deflected the ball, which bounced off the cross bar to the feet of Eloy Colombano who tied the score.

Colombano had an opportunity to give Kansas City the lead in the 90th minute but pushed the ball wide.

That gave Razov a chance in the 92nd minute.

“When the ball went to the wing, they just all ran into the box and I just kind off popped out to the top of the box,” Razov said. “I was pretty surprised they let me turn to my left and I just aimed for that far corner.”

Added Kljestan: “That was vintage Ante, like the goals he’s had throughout his career. He hasn’t had a beauty like that this season and it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

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