Tag Archives: Chivas USA

Soccer

California Drought

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After back-to-back, less-than-stellar outings in the City of Angels, questions abound regarding the Vancouver Whitecaps’ futility in the great state of California. Too much Disneyland? Too much Rodeo Drive shopping? Whatever it may be, Cap struggles in the golden state have become familiar, and farcically legendary.

Landon Donovan's LA Galaxy team has caused fits for the Whitecaps at the StubHub Center. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Landon Donovan’s LA Galaxy team has caused fits for the Whitecaps at the StubHub Center.  Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

With the loss this past weekend, they’ve now compiled a 0-7-0 (W-L-T) record versus the Galaxy in LA since joining MLS in 2011. That’s not entirely surprising considering the various assemblies of talent that the Galaxy has been able to trot out year after year, but to be unable to muster a single point in seven games may be considered, ehrm, disheartening.

Unfortunately for the boys from Vancouver, the point drought in California extends beyond the Galaxy.

Continue reading California Drought →

Articles, Soccer

Reo-Coker makes way for Rosales

Nigel Reo-Coker is a Whitecap no longer. After an odd injury or two, some uneven play and a whole lot of being stapled to the bench, NRC has been traded to Chivas USA for renowned playmaker Mauro Rosales.

Nigel Reo-Coker played his best game a year ago in a 2-nil win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Nigel Reo-Coker played his best game a year ago in a 2-nil win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

A year ago, Reo-Coker was playing his best soccer in a Whitecaps kit, barrelling over defenders, yellow cards bedamned. When he had the ball, he was  saucering up tasty passes at the lip of the 18-yard box for Darren Mattocks, Gershon Koffie and the Golden Boot-wearing traitor-to-be Camilo. When he didn’t have the ball, he was directing traffic in the midfield, at times seemingly for both teams. Continue reading Reo-Coker makes way for Rosales →

Articles, Soccer

Goats ‘N’ Prose – Whitecaps FC VS Chivas USA

After an impressive season opener last Saturday, the Whitecaps will look to continue their strong play in California tomorrow. They’ll take on a Chivas USA team that also turned some heads in their 3-2 victory last weekend. In fact, these two teams have a little more in common than simply opening the season with wins.WhitecapsLogo300

The USA Goats, much like the Caps, have undergone an off-season of change. Both clubs promoted MLS assistant coaches to manage their teams – Chivas found their man in former Colorado Rapids assistant Wilmer Cabrera. Vancouver’s hire of Carl Robinson has already been well documented in this town.

Carl Robinson focused on retooling the Caps midfield to encourage forward movement from the middle of the park. Chivas recruited playmaker Mauro Rosales, formerly of the Seattle Sounders, to solidify their midfield.

The Whitecaps newcomers, Seba Fernandez and Pedro Morales (amongst others) both had stunning debuts for their club, as did Rosales. He assisted on Chivas’ second and third goals versus the Chicago Fire to secure the win. You say Morales, I say Rosales, let’s call the whole thing off. Continue reading Goats ‘N’ Prose – Whitecaps FC VS Chivas USA →

Articles, Soccer

Whitecaps gift the Goats a point

Vancouver Whitecaps FC entered Sunday afternoon with just one win in their last six games. They’d dropped from second to seventh in the Western Conference, and seen their league-leading scoring duo of Camilo and Kenny Miller suddenly go dry.

Kenny Miller steered this shot into the base of the post during the first half of a frustrating 2-2 draw against Chivas USA. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Kenny Miller steered this shot into the base of the post as Marco Delgado looked on during the first half of a frustrating 2-2 draw against Chivas USA. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

A visit from the MLS bottom dweller Chivas USA was just what the doctor ordered, then. The Caps had never lost at home to the Goats from LA, and surely they’d find their form, attack at will, and score a half dozen at least.

Right?

Uhhh, yeah. Right.

More after the jump.

Continue reading Whitecaps gift the Goats a point →

Articles, Soccer

The Game As It’s About To Happen: Chivas USA 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

CapsFIFAIn a time where anyone with an internet connection can spew forth an opinion on their favourite team onto social media or a blog, what can one more game preview really add to the discussion? Instead, Pucked in the Head takes you on a trip into the future! Here, complete with highlights, is a recap of this coming Saturday’s game, as it will most assuredly happen. (Probably. OK, possibly. Alright, fine, it’s hardly likely at all.)

Apologies to those Whitecaps fans heading down to LA this weekend, but it seems EA Sports thinks you’re about to get rained on. My best guess, as Vancouver went into a rainy Home Depot Centre, was that Kenny Miller would be slotted back into the Caps’ lineup after missing the Houston game on international duty, while Joe Cannon would be replaced in goal by Brad Knighton.

More after the jump. Continue reading The Game As It’s About To Happen: Chivas USA 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps →

Articles, Soccer

Whitecaps FC 4, Chivas USA 0

It was a must-win for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Wednesday night, as they sat just two points ahead of FC Dallas for the fifth and final playoff spot in the MLS Western Conference. Luckily, they were hosting a woeful Chivas USA squad that was burdened with a franchise-worst losing skid into BC Place. The Caps didn’t disappoint, dominating play from kick-off to the final whistle, and putting four goals — FOUR!! —into the back of the net.

Video embed courtesy of www.whitecapsfc.com — if it ain’t workin’ don’t blame lil’ ol’ us!

Continue reading Whitecaps FC 4, Chivas USA 0 →

Players, Soccer

Peter Vagenas

Panayiotis Alexiou “Peter” Vagenas
Midfielder – CD Chivas USA
Born February 6, 1978 in Pasadena, CA

Nicknames: Pasadena Pete; Passback Pete; That Guy The Whitecaps Inexplicably Let “Mentor” Gershon Koffie

Peter Vagenas, now in his 13th season in Major League Soccer, is a player commonly described as “experienced”. This is code for “old” and “often doesn’t get his contract renewed”. Continue reading Peter Vagenas →