Kennedy to miss playoff opener

CARSON, Calif. -- In a game that meant little, Chivas USA lost a lot.

Dan Kennedy, who was in goal for Chivas USA when the club won five of six games in September and October, was sent off early in the second half and will miss the club's playoff opener at Real Salt Lake on Nov. 1.

Still, a 10-man Chivas USA squad overcame the red card and a goal and pulled out a 1-1 draw against Houston in the regular-season finale at The Home Depot Center on Saturday.

"The way the game finished, we finished well," midfielder Paulo Nagamura said. "With a man down, we still got a point."

Kennedy was called for a foul on Nate Jaqua inside the penalty area in the 50th minute. Referee Terry Vaughn sent Kennedy off for having denied a goal-scoring opportunity. Houston's Dwayne De Rosario converted the ensuing penalty kick and Houston went up 1-0.

Chivas USA coach Preki said he was not sure the contact between Kennedy and Jaqua was a foul, let alone worthy of a red card.

"It's disappointing that in a game that basically doesn't mean anything but three points and a little bit of prestige that we get these kinds of things in a game that was physical, physical but fair. That's disappointing," Preki said. "Watching the replay, if there was contact it was very, very minor contact."

Zach Thornton replaced Alecko Eskandarian before the penalty kick and gave up the goal but did well throughout the remainder of the second half. Thornton finished with two saves including a 76th-minute stop on Jaqua from close range that kept the deficit at one.

The saves helped Chivas USA stay in the match, and Jim Curtin made it pay off. Curtin knocked in a rebound in the 90th minute to give Chivas USA a point.

"I give my guys an incredible amount of credit for not quitting and fighting," Preki said. "They stuck with each other and they competed against a very good and very talented team."

Given the circumstances -- a red card, finishing with 10 men against the two-time defending champions -- Chivas USA players said the result was a positive one.

"We're going to take a lot from this game, always hard games against Houston," Nagamura said. "The tie was a good result, considering the way it went, a man down and the penalty kick that was called. I'm not disappointed with the result."

In the first half, Chivas USA were the aggressors. Eskandarian had the club's best opportunity when he walked in alone on Pat Onstad in the 19th minute. The veteran goalkeeper, however, turned Eskandarian away.

Kennedy did well in the first half and made a pair of saves within a minute of each other late in the half.

"We take a lot of positives out of tonight. We showed a lot of commitment and fight," Eskandarian said. "I thought we had the better of play for the time until the red card. If Houston is supposed to be the best team and the team that everyone is trying to get to their level and if were doing well against them, I think we can take some positives out from that."

However, the game got away from the hosts early in the second half when Vaughn showed Kennedy the red card.

"He spoiled the game because I thought it was a game that was played at a high pace, two teams that knew how to play this game," Preki said. "After that it was difficult for us but once again the guys in the locker room don't quit, they keep going and keep fighting."

Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.