Chivas USA are currently at the halfway point in their 2012 preseason schedule after playing four out of nine games in the build up to the new season. Last season does not seem that long ago but the results and eventual finish of Chivas USA in the Western Conference will want to be addressed and improved upon already. With the roster for the upcoming season still being put together with new signings and trialists Robin Fraser has used scrimmages and exhibition games to experiment with his team. Here is how they have performed so far in preseason.
VENTURA COUNTY FUSION 1 – CHIVAS USA 0 1/27/2012
Chivas USA began their preparations for the new season by taking on Ventura County Fusion at Oxnard College in the first game of a challenging preseason schedule. Unfortunately, however, it wasn’t the best of starts and the PDL side surprised many with a 1-0 win. Both 1st team players and new trialists took part in the game, which consisted of only two 30 minute halves, and many placed blame on the wind that morning for the lack of quality. The team had trained for 2 weeks prior to the game and, despite not being able to equalize after Fusion’s 2nd half goal, fitness was still the priority. It was also just the first of nine games Chivas USA have organized in order to help their players return to full match fitness and sharpness.
One player in particular who stood out was new defender John Alexander Valencia who had recently arrived from the Colombian league. Playing beside trialist Rauwshan McKenzie in the first half the 30yr old Colombian gave an assured performance and it will be interesting to see him again alongside more regular Chivas defenders. So with numerous important players missing and more additions to the roster expected the result of this preseason game was certainly nothing to worry about.
CHIVAS USA 5 – FC HASENTAL 0 02/03/2012
In their second game of preseason Chivas USA achieved their first win of 2012 against National Premier League side FC Hasental. Dominating throughout, The Rojiblancos ran out eventual 5-0 winners over Los Conejos at The Home Depot Center. Robin Fraser opted to start with a strong lineup for this game and it paid dividends with the Goats going in at the half 3-0 up after goals from Michael Lahoud, Juan Pablo Angel and Ryan Smith. In the 2nd half, the strong starting line-up made way for a string of changes to test some non-contracted and youth academy players. It also signaled the return of Laurent Courtois and Jorge Villafana to the team. This didn’t stop the goals however with Chris Cortez putting his side 4-0 up before trialist Cesar Romero adding a fifth a minute from time.
Ecuadorian Oswaldo Minda started his first game for Chivas after signing in the offseason from Deportivo Quito and put in good performance for 45 minutes in the center of midfield. Another positive performance was that of trialist Cesar Romero. The former US under 18 player terrorized the Hasental defense for 45 mintues and capped his fine performance with a goal from the edge of the box in the 89th minute. Overall, it was a convincing display from Chivas USA and one that would have pleased head coach Robin Fraser ahead of the new season as he tries to bring cohesion and familiarity to his squad of players.
COLORADO RAPIDS 1 – CHIVAS USA 0 02/07/2012
Chivas USA squared up against Colorado Rapids in what was their third match of preseason but their first game against MLS opposition. Despite this match following on from the convincing defeat of FC Hasental, Colorado obviously proved to be much stronger opponents and Chivas fell to a 1-0 defeat. Once again, the Goats started the match with a strong lineup in particular the attacking trio of Angel, Lahoud and Smith who created several chances and tested the Rapids defense in the 1st half. This did not produce any goals however and Colorado’s Quincy Amarikwa put the Rapids 1-0 up late on and condemned Chivas to their second defeat of preseason. Robin Fraser again chose to use the 2nd half as an opportunity to evaluate trialists and made significant changes to his lineup. It was clearly an opportunity to test these trialists against MLS opposition and let them fight for a place on the roster.
Another player returning to preseason action was defender David Junior Lopes who played part of the 2nd half after missing the first 2 weeks of the preseason due to visa issues. A defeat is always a disappointing result but at this stage of preseason it was, once again, more about players returning to match fitness and working with possible new additions to the roster.
CHIVAS USA 0 – CHICAGO FIRE 1 02/11/2012
Making a return to Oxnard for their fourth preseason match Chivas USA suffered a 1-0 defeat for the second time in a week but this time at the hands of Chicago Fire. Similar to their last preseason game Chivas held on until the 2nd half before going behind to a Daniel Paladini strike which turned out to be the only goal of the game. Another defeat for the Rojiblancos but yet again the first team only played for around an hour and the it was down to a much changed Chivas team to see out the remainder of the game.
On the plus side, it was another chance to experiment with the team and this was evident in a new role for Alejandro Moreno. Normally playing in a more advanced role Moreno was dropped into the center of midfield to operate as more of a box-to-box midfielder beside new signing Minda. It’s not clear whether this was only a temporary role for the versatile player but it certainly adds more depth to the already strong midfield department. Another bright side of this match was the introduction of Casey Townsend who was making his debut after only recently returning to training after injury. Playing for 30 minutes in the 2nd half the fifth overall draft pick from the MLS Superdraft was another player who got a chance to play alongside his new teammates.
With only 1 win so far in preseason (against an amateur team) and 3 defeats, results haven’t exactly been great for Chivas USA this year so far. However, like preseason for every team, results aren’t always necessarily the most important aspect of the schedule. As previously mentioned, preseason is mainly about giving players the opportunity to improve their match fitness and for the coach to try different lineups and formations. It is also a chance for potential new signings to impress and gain a place on the roster. With five more games to go before Chivas kick off their season against Houston Dynamo (LA Galaxy, Club Tijuana Xolos, AIK, Portland & San Jose) Robin Fraser’s men will have more opportunities to achieve another preseason victory. If the team continues to work hard and become more cohesive defeats in preseason will be long forgotten about if they manage to get off to a winning start on March 11th.
(image courtesy of cdchivasusa.com)
