CARSON, Calif – Chivas USA finished the 2010 SuperLiga tournament with a 1-0 victory over Pachuca at the Home Depot Center in front of 14,817 Wednesday night. The Goats were looking to advance in the SuperLiga, but were left out by Houston’s 1-0 victory over Puebla FC.

The Red-and-White attacked early and often. Newly acquired Giancarlo Maldonado put the Goats on the board in the seventh minute. Maldonado got behind the Pachuca defense to receive a perfect long pass from Ante Jazic before taking one dribble and drilling a shot from 18 yards out pass goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota.

The first half ended with both teams looking to score but neither could capitalize on good scoring opportunity’s. Jesus Padilla received a perfectly placed pass in the area from Maldonado, but Padilla’s shot skipped into the waiting hands of Cota.

The Goats played solid defense in the second half led by defenders Carlos Borja and Mariano Trujillo. The defense contained USA World Cup forward Herculez Gomez as Pachuca attacked from all sides but couldn’t find the back of the net.

Chukwudi Chijindu entered as a sub in the ^55th minute and gave the Goats fresh legs and speed. Chijindo had several opportunity’s to extend the lead. As the final minutes ran off the clock, Chijindo broke free after juking and jiving passed two Pachuca defenders and the goalkeeper before his final chip rattled off the crossbar.

Chivas USA Head Coach Martin Vasquez, on the match: “I thought it was a good game for us, and obviously the result helps. I’m happy with the effort and happy, at times, with the way we played, and I’m pleased with the young guys coming in and taking advantage of this opportunity.”

The Red-and-White finished in third place of SuperLiga Group A with four points and a 1-1-1.  They return to MLS play on Saturday, July 24th, traveling to face MLS Cup Champions Real Salt Lake.