Chivas USA meet the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night in a Western Conference clash that will provide both sides with an opportunity to reinforce their league standing. On a difficult run of games, Chivas USA have moved up to sixth in the West, however, they are still only three points from the bottom placed LA Galaxy. A win over the Sounders therefore could see them move one place closer to a playoff spot. Seattle, on the other hand, has fallen four points behind leaders San Jose and three points on Saturday would see them gain valuable ground on the Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake. With a possible improved league place to play for then, both Chivas and Seattle will feel this is a game where a victory would be invaluable.
RECENT FORM
Before playing San Jose Earthquakes on 5/13 Chivas USA never really had an easy game per se, however, they were about to embark on a run of games that included not only the Western Conference leaders but, the Eastern Conference leaders New York Red Bulls, MLS CUP holders LA Galaxy, and two teams (Seattle and Salt Lake) challenging for a top spot in the league. It was perhaps the most difficult run of games The Goats would have all year. However, with 5 points from the first three games of this run Chivas USA are now three games unbeaten and putting together a string of encouraging performances. Last week, saw them take a hard fought but well deserved point from the Red Bulls and again build on what is becoming a turnaround in fortunes. With only 3 goals over the course of three games, Chivas are still struggling to find their true scoring form but with an improved attacking line-up at his disposal now, Robin Fraser will be confident this won’t be far away. With their first win of the season at home against LA Galaxy last weekend, Chivas has an opportunity to prove it wasn’t a fluke and show their poor home form is now in the past.
Their opponents, however, have had something of a falter in form. In reverse to Chivas USA, the Sounders are currently on a three game winless streak after losing their last game to the Columbus Crew (2-0) on Wednesday night. Despite their disappointing results of late, Seattle still hold third place in the West with 23 points and will be a stern test for a confident Chivas USA side.
HISTORY
In their MLS career, Chivas USA and the Seattle Sounders have met each other a total of seven times with neither club taking any significant advantage in the record books. Of the seven meetings between these sides, both clubs have won two apiece, tied the remaining fixtures and scored five goals each in the process. Last year at the Home Depot Center Seattle triumphed 3-1 over the Goats and the reverse fixture in Seattle ended 0-0. Overall, the Sounders have fared better in recent times, going unbeaten in five games against Chivas USA since 2009.
WHO’S MISSING?
For a third straight week, Robin Fraser still has a very healthy squad to choose from for the game against Seattle. Apart from long term absentee Marvin Iraheta (knee); it is only Ben Zemanski who again remains ‘questionable’ as he continues to suffer from a sprain.
Despite only returning from suspension, Oswaldo Minda is again unavailable for selection as he has been called up by the Ecuadorian international team. After some commanding midfield performances the call-up is definitely deserved but one that will certainly weaken the Chivas USA squad. On the other hand, international duty deprived new signing Agudelo the chance of a return to New York last week, but after being cut from the USMNT squad the striker returns to California.
Robin Fraser, as always, has a few decisions to make for the game against Seattle. After a wonder strike from Juan Pablo Angel against New York, the striker will almost definitely find himself in the starting line-up this weekend. Who plays alongside him however and in what formation could go either way. Chivas USA have played relatively defensively at home, but with their awful home record now rectified it could maybe spell a more adventurous Rojiblanco display. With an almost full squad to choose from the Goats have yet to score a home goal from open play but they definitely have the attacking talent to do so. With fans still celebrating the victory over the LA Galaxy, and indeed recent results, Chivas USA will now look to continue an impressive run of form and give their fans, a still rare, home victory to cheer about.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
