Erick Torres scored a sensational goal to guide Chivas USA to a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake 1-0 at StubHub Center on Saturday.
Luke Mulholland was sent off inside the opening 10 minutes for a high studs-up tackle on Martín Rivero, leaving the visitors with 10 men for over 80 minutes.
And Chivas made the most of their numerical advantage in the 35th minute, going ahead through a wonderful strike from Torres.
Tony Lochhead made a run on the left flank and sent a lovely cross that found Torres in the right side of the box.
The Mexican striker took it with his first touch, rifling a spectacular right-footed volley out of the air and into the back of the net from 15 yards.
"It was a play that I actually took a chance," Torres told reporters. "I just saw the ball coming down and I took the opportunity and scored the goal.
"From the moment that I saw the ball coming down I just had in mind taking a volley and that's what I did. Thank God I had the opportunity to connect with a volley and score the goal."
Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy added: "He's got a quality that he can't teach. His focus is just superb and for his age, it's hard to believe what he can really come up with and what he can pull off."
With his 17th career goal, Torres became the league's all-time leading scorer among Mexican-born players, surpassing Cuauhtémoc Blanco.
The 21-year-old said: "I'm extremely happy and thrilled to have been able to score that goal and I'm very happy to be able to make history in Major League Soccer.
"I grew up watching Cuauhtémoc play. He was one of my idols growing up and obviously being able to surpass him is something that I cannot even describe."
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| Erick Torres celebrates with Chivas USA teammates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake Photo: Chivas USA |
Luke Mulholland was sent off inside the opening 10 minutes for a high studs-up tackle on Martín Rivero, leaving the visitors with 10 men for over 80 minutes.
And Chivas made the most of their numerical advantage in the 35th minute, going ahead through a wonderful strike from Torres.
Tony Lochhead made a run on the left flank and sent a lovely cross that found Torres in the right side of the box.
The Mexican striker took it with his first touch, rifling a spectacular right-footed volley out of the air and into the back of the net from 15 yards.
"It was a play that I actually took a chance," Torres told reporters. "I just saw the ball coming down and I took the opportunity and scored the goal.
"From the moment that I saw the ball coming down I just had in mind taking a volley and that's what I did. Thank God I had the opportunity to connect with a volley and score the goal."
Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy added: "He's got a quality that he can't teach. His focus is just superb and for his age, it's hard to believe what he can really come up with and what he can pull off."
With his 17th career goal, Torres became the league's all-time leading scorer among Mexican-born players, surpassing Cuauhtémoc Blanco.
The 21-year-old said: "I'm extremely happy and thrilled to have been able to score that goal and I'm very happy to be able to make history in Major League Soccer.
"I grew up watching Cuauhtémoc play. He was one of my idols growing up and obviously being able to surpass him is something that I cannot even describe."
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Also see:
- Goal of the day: Gilberto (Toronto FC) vs NY Red Bulls
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- Goal of 2014 World Cup Contender! Tim Cahill (Australia) vs Netherlands
- Goal of the day: Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi (SJ Earthquakes) vs FC Dallas
- Goal of the day: Daniel Sturridge (England) vs Peru
