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Real Salt Lake Vs Chivas USA: Head To Head Preview
Goal.com takes a closer look at the matchup between Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA.
By Jeremy Horton and Manuel Carrera
On Form
Real Salt Lake: RSL lost last weekend for the first time in 10 games, but they can take comfort in knowing that they stood toe-to-toe with one of the league's hottest teams in miserable weather. If the woodwork were kinder, Salt Lake likely would have walked out of Dallas with a point or three. The defense continues to be stout in the run of play despite the end of the shutout streak (which was good enough for third-longest in league history), and the offense is definitely still creating chances.
Chivas USA: Following a dismal stretch that saw six straight league matches, Chivas USA have shown better form during July, netting them four points in their last two matches. Jonathan Bornstein’s return to the lineup, combined with the acquisition of Giancarlo Maldonado, Paulo Nagamura and Rodolfo Espinoza have all played a role in the Goats’ resurgence, but Justin Braun’s surprise emergence as a quality striker has spurred an attack that had been tame for most of the first half of the season. On Wednesday, the good news kept rolling in for the Goats as the team announced the signing of Sal Zizzo.
Off Target
Salt Lake: Real simply melted on a hot night in Dallas. They weren't sharp on the ball, and the offense, which prides itself on dynamic runs and switching, looked lethargic. But what's got to concern Jason Kreis the most is that the set piece defense still looks extremely shaky. Dallas is the first team in a while to capitalize on this weakness, but it's been there nonetheless for several weeks. Opposing corner kicks didn't cause much worry for the Salt Lake faithful most of this year, but guaranteed they do now.
Chivas USA: In spite of an influx of new acquisitions, Chivas USA have not yet found their stride as a cohesive unit. The Goats began the year as one of the league’s youngest teams, lost their captain and shuffled their roster throughout the first half of the season. Additionally, the Goats have not dealt well with success this season, failing to win consecutive league matches yet in 2010.
Tactics
Salt Lake: Real pride themselves on playing for the win in every game, even on the road, so a lot of people were surprised when Kreis trotted out a defensive-minded 4-5-1 against Dallas. Needless to say it didn't work as intended, and Kreis publicly questioned his own decision after the match. At least one player questioned it as well. It's also worth noting that RSL's big slump in 2009 coincided with a switch to the 4-5-1. Kreis won't make the same mistake again, so expect the good ol' 4-4-2 to return against Chivas.
Chivas USA: With all the reinforcements that Chivas USA have brought in, the Goats should be able to return to their preferred 4-4-1-1 versus RSL. In their previous encounter, the Goats opened the match in a 4-5-1 to protect their defense. The addition of Maldonado will allow Braun to roam the field as a withdrawn striker, which benefits his high work rate. Nagamura, meanwhile, will add some defensive bite to a midfield that has been manned by rookies Ben Zemanski and Blair Gavin for most of the season.
Intangibles
Salt Lake: Salt Lake are a team that doesn't take losing well, so expect a good response from the players and coaches. In order to keep pace with the first- and third-place teams, Real will need six points from their next two -- that point will be hammered home in training this week. Combine that with a return to the friendly confines of Rio Tinto Stadium where they will have the weather advantage for a change, and this game has rout potential written all over it.
Chivas USA: Chivas USA have felt that they were on the brink of turning their season around for several months, but now they have begun to see results. Wins in the U.S. Open Cup and in league matches have served to bolster the confidence of a young squad. Fatigue, though, may scuttle any hopes of consistency as Saturday’s match will be the Goats' ninth in the last month.
Outcome
Salt Lake: Back at home, an expected sellout, the dry heat and altitude, and a team that's breathing fire over their last game are a recipe for inflicting serious pain. It could be unfortunate for Chivas that the schedule/results worked out this way. Real Salt Lake 3-0 Chivas USA.
Chivas USA: Neither team was dominant in their previous encounter that was settled late in the match. More threats for Chivas USA will keep the defending champs from attacking with as much zeal as they did in their previous match. Real Salt Lake 1–1 Chivas USA.
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Real Salt Lake: RSL lost last weekend for the first time in 10 games, but they can take comfort in knowing that they stood toe-to-toe with one of the league's hottest teams in miserable weather. If the woodwork were kinder, Salt Lake likely would have walked out of Dallas with a point or three. The defense continues to be stout in the run of play despite the end of the shutout streak (which was good enough for third-longest in league history), and the offense is definitely still creating chances.
Chivas USA: Following a dismal stretch that saw six straight league matches, Chivas USA have shown better form during July, netting them four points in their last two matches. Jonathan Bornstein’s return to the lineup, combined with the acquisition of Giancarlo Maldonado, Paulo Nagamura and Rodolfo Espinoza have all played a role in the Goats’ resurgence, but Justin Braun’s surprise emergence as a quality striker has spurred an attack that had been tame for most of the first half of the season. On Wednesday, the good news kept rolling in for the Goats as the team announced the signing of Sal Zizzo.
Off Target
Salt Lake: Real simply melted on a hot night in Dallas. They weren't sharp on the ball, and the offense, which prides itself on dynamic runs and switching, looked lethargic. But what's got to concern Jason Kreis the most is that the set piece defense still looks extremely shaky. Dallas is the first team in a while to capitalize on this weakness, but it's been there nonetheless for several weeks. Opposing corner kicks didn't cause much worry for the Salt Lake faithful most of this year, but guaranteed they do now.
Chivas USA: In spite of an influx of new acquisitions, Chivas USA have not yet found their stride as a cohesive unit. The Goats began the year as one of the league’s youngest teams, lost their captain and shuffled their roster throughout the first half of the season. Additionally, the Goats have not dealt well with success this season, failing to win consecutive league matches yet in 2010.
Tactics
Salt Lake: Real pride themselves on playing for the win in every game, even on the road, so a lot of people were surprised when Kreis trotted out a defensive-minded 4-5-1 against Dallas. Needless to say it didn't work as intended, and Kreis publicly questioned his own decision after the match. At least one player questioned it as well. It's also worth noting that RSL's big slump in 2009 coincided with a switch to the 4-5-1. Kreis won't make the same mistake again, so expect the good ol' 4-4-2 to return against Chivas.
Chivas USA: With all the reinforcements that Chivas USA have brought in, the Goats should be able to return to their preferred 4-4-1-1 versus RSL. In their previous encounter, the Goats opened the match in a 4-5-1 to protect their defense. The addition of Maldonado will allow Braun to roam the field as a withdrawn striker, which benefits his high work rate. Nagamura, meanwhile, will add some defensive bite to a midfield that has been manned by rookies Ben Zemanski and Blair Gavin for most of the season.
Intangibles
Salt Lake: Salt Lake are a team that doesn't take losing well, so expect a good response from the players and coaches. In order to keep pace with the first- and third-place teams, Real will need six points from their next two -- that point will be hammered home in training this week. Combine that with a return to the friendly confines of Rio Tinto Stadium where they will have the weather advantage for a change, and this game has rout potential written all over it.
Chivas USA: Chivas USA have felt that they were on the brink of turning their season around for several months, but now they have begun to see results. Wins in the U.S. Open Cup and in league matches have served to bolster the confidence of a young squad. Fatigue, though, may scuttle any hopes of consistency as Saturday’s match will be the Goats' ninth in the last month.
Outcome
Salt Lake: Back at home, an expected sellout, the dry heat and altitude, and a team that's breathing fire over their last game are a recipe for inflicting serious pain. It could be unfortunate for Chivas that the schedule/results worked out this way. Real Salt Lake 3-0 Chivas USA.
Chivas USA: Neither team was dominant in their previous encounter that was settled late in the match. More threats for Chivas USA will keep the defending champs from attacking with as much zeal as they did in their previous match. Real Salt Lake 1–1 Chivas USA.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Real Salt Lake 2-0 Chivas USA
- 22.22 %
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Real Salt Lake 3-1 Chivas USA
- 16.67 %
-
Real Salt Lake 0-0 Chivas USA
- 16.67 %
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Mar 24, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 0 - Chivas USA 1 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Aug 27, 2011 | Chivas USA 0 - Real Salt Lake 1 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | May 7, 2011 | Real Salt Lake 1 - Chivas USA 0 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Jul 24, 2010 | Real Salt Lake 1 - Chivas USA 1 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | May 22, 2010 | Chivas USA 1 - Real Salt Lake 2 |
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Real Salt Lake
  |
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| May 26, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 3 - FC Dallas 2 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Real Salt Lake 1 | MLS |
| May 9, 2012 | Chicago Fire 0 - Real Salt Lake 0 | MLS |
| May 5, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 2 - New England Revolution 1 | MLS |
| Apr 28, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 3 - Toronto FC 2 | MLS |
Chivas USA
  |
||
| May 26, 2012 | Chivas USA 1 - Seattle Sounders FC 1 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | New York Red Bulls 1 - Chivas USA 1 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | Chivas USA 1 - Los Angeles Galaxy 0 | MLS |
| May 13, 2012 | San Jose 1 - Chivas USA 1 | MLS |
| May 4, 2012 | Chivas USA 1 - Chicago Fire 2 | MLS |
| 18 | Nick Rimando | Goalkeeper |
| 17 | Chris Wingert | Defender |
| 77 | Andy Williams | Midfielder |
| 16 | Fabian Espindola | Striker |
| 15 | Álvaro Saborío | Striker |
| 6 | Nat Borchers | Defender |
| 4 | Jamison Olave | Defender |
| 2 | Tony Beltran | Defender |
| 5 | Kyle Beckerman | Midfielder |
| 11 | Javier Morales | Midfielder |
| 8 | Will Johnson | Striker |
| 1 | Tim Melia | Goalkeeper |
| - | Rauwshan McKenzie | Defender |
| 3 | Robbie Russell | Defender |
| - | Jean Alexandre | Midfielder |
| 20 | Ned Grabavoy | Midfielder |
| 19 | Pablo Campos | Striker |
| 10 | Robbie Findley | Striker |
| 1 | Dan Kennedy | Goalkeeper |
| 6 | Ante Jazic | Defender |
| - | Michael Umaña | Defender |
| - | Dario Delgado | Defender |
| 18 | Blair Gavin | Midfielder |
| 17 | Justin Braun | Striker |
| - | Rodolfo Espinoza | Midfielder |
| - | Michael Lahoud | Midfielder |
| 9 | G. Maldonado | Striker |
| 8 | Mariano Trujillo | Defender |
| - | Paulo Nagamura | Midfielder |
| 31 | Kevin Guppy | Goalkeeper |
| - | Jorge Flores | Midfielder |
| 55 | Marcelo Saragosa | Midfielder |
| - | Chukwudi Chijindu | Midfielder |
| 21 | Ben Zemanski | Midfielder |
| - | Jesús Andrés Padilla | Striker |
| 30 | Carlos Borja | Defender |
| Javier Morales | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 11 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Justin Braun | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 17 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
18 
17 
77 
16 
15 
6 
4 
2 
5 
11 
8 
1 
6 
0 
0 
18 
17 
0 
0 
9 
8 
0
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |