After suffering a heartbreaking stoppage time goal against the Chicago Fire last week, Chivas USA found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line. It was their fifth straight defeat at the Home Depot Center and it was another ‘bitterly disappointing’ night for Robin Fraser and his players. Although, finally getting off the mark and scoring their first home goal of the season they failed to break any other records and still remain winless at the HDC. Away from home however, The Goats have had mixed fortunes. Although a three game winning streak was ended last week by the Colorado Rapids, the road remains the only place where they have picked up points in their nine games this season. A trip to Californian rivals San Jose on Sunday then, will be an opportunity to recapture that impressive road form and get back to winning ways.
RECENT FORM
Chivas USA have been on a pretty miserable run of late. Sitting just one point from the bottom of the Western Conference, the defeat to Chicago was not only their fifth home loss of the season, it was their third loss in a row. A 1-0 defeat to Philadelphia, followed by a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Colorado means the Goats have conceded a total of seven goals in their last three games. At the other end of the field they have also been struggling. Juan Pablo Angel’s penalty kick last Friday was their first goal since the win over Toronto (April 14th) and their only goal at home all year.
However, on a more positive note, recent results have perhaps been a bit flattering on the opposition. Against Philadelphia, Chivas USA dominated and were unlucky to walk away with nothing to show for their efforts. In Colorado, the team collapsed after a demoralizing late goal, producing a flattering score-line. Finally, against the Chicago Fire, a stoppage time sucker punch denied Chivas their first home point of the season and thus quickly changed the headlines. So things are not as bad as they might seem. Chivas USA have put in some good performances this year, especially on the road, and with a group of new players slowly finding their rhythm, a good run of results is not out of the question.
Despite my optimism, the relatively short trip to San Jose could not provide much more of a challenge. The San Jose Earthquakes are currently doing almost exactly the opposite of Chivas USA. Sitting one place from the top of the Western Conference with 22 points, the free scoring Earthquakes have been one of the teams to watch so far in 2012. They are currently top of the soring charts with 21 goals in MLS, eleven of those coming from league leader Chris Wondolowski. Chivas USA, on the other hand, are tied for the worst goal record. They have only scored five goals each coming from a different scorer. One source of relief could be the fact San Jose also lost their last game, to the Vancouver Whitecaps, and the history between these sides actually favors the Rojiblancos.
THE INJURY LIST
Another week has passed and Chivas USA’s injury list is still in one of the best states it has been for a while. With the only long term absentee being Marvin Iraheta, Robin Fraser has an almost full squad to choose from. Ben Zemanski has been listed as questionable, however, the return of Michael Lahoud is a huge boost to the fans and players alike. After a terrific showing in preseason Lahoud’s cautious return from a hamstring injury could finally see a new impetus added to the attack.
Although not injured, the biggest loss for Chivas USA this weekend will be Oswaldo Minda. After accumulating too many yellow cards, the combative midfielder will serve his suspension on Sunday against San Jose.
HOW WILL THEY LINEUP?
As a stand out performer for the Goats, the aforementioned Minda will be missed in the heart of the midfield as he is vital to the defensive side to their game. Although lining up slightly more adventurous than usual against Chicago, we are likely to see a return to the defense minded approach we have seen in the previous away games. The traditional 4-4-2 used last week did not produce much more attacking entertainment than normal and Fraser’s 4-5-1 has been effective on the road before. The RSL and Toronto games, for example, saw Chivas soak up the pressure they were put under and sneak a goal on the counter-attack. Nevertheless, Chivas USA desperately need goals and more importantly points. This desperation might just see a second week of a more adventurous Chivas line up.
Trying to predict who Fraser will start with is never easy. For every game this season, he has altered either the line-up or formation in an effort to find his best starting XI. With players like Cardozo and Correa being added recently it has only further strengthened his options in attack. Whoever wins the right to start, there is a lot of competition in this squad, and players need to start giving Robin Fraser a hard time leaving them out.
The anticipation towards a match up between San Jose and Chivas USA, despite hailing from the same state, is not on the same scale as other derbies in MLS. Chivas USA fans will no doubt be looking to the following game, against LA Galaxy, for their fix of intense rivalry. However, the Chivas USA players will hopefully approach this game against San Jose as if it was their biggest rivalry. After a somewhat promising start to the season, they have started to fall away from the other playoff hopefuls. And with an extremely tough run of games coming up, a resurrection of their ‘Road Warrior’ status would go a long way to getting them back on track.
(image courtesy of German Alegria/Agencia Imago)
