CHIVAS COMES UP EMPTY GAME WITH NEW YORK ENDS IN A 0-0 TIE CHIVAS USA 0, NEW YORK 0.

Byline: Matt Zimmerman Staff Writer

On a night when fans received golden mouse ears free from Disneyland, Chivas USA and the New York Red Bulls put a pair of empty circles on the scoreboard.

Saturday's game at the Home Depot Center featured two fifth-place teams looking for the three points a victory would bring. And after a 0-0 deadlock that gave each team a point, both teams remain just as desperate for their first positive result in weeks.

``It feels like two points lost,'' said Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley, who held the same position with New York from 2003 until last fall. ``I certainly think we needed to just do better with some chances.''

After winning its opener, Chivas USA (1-2-1, four points) lost consecutive games, including a heartbreaker to the Galaxy April 15, with no games in the two weeks before Saturday. With the next game scheduled for May 14 at New England, the team will once again have a long time to lament missed opportunities and a disappointing result.

New York's next game is against Chicago May 13.

``That's the way it goes,'' said Chivas goalie Brad Guzan, who saved the game's best chance, a close shot by Mike Magee after Magee's first attempt hit the crossbar in the 58th minute. ``That's the way the league schedules the games, and you've just got to move on with it. I don't think it really played a factor.''

New York (0-1-4, four points) goalie Tony Meola was credited with seven saves, but only one presented a challenge. In the 53rd minute, forward Ante Razov attacked from the right side, and found himself alone in the box against Red Bull defenders.

With no help, he beat one defender, but his point-blank shot was saved by Meola, who had moved to cut off the near-post angle.

All of Meola's other saves came on either crosses or Chivas free kicks, with none of the chances ever truly threatening to break the tie.

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Chivas vs. New York Red bulls. Chivas Juan Francisco Palencia battles for control of ball against New York Red Bulls Danny O'Rourke during the first half of the game.

Edna T. Simpson