|
|
Played
May 7, 2011 4:05 PM EDT
Rio Tinto Stadium — Sandy, Utah
Referee: P. Ward
Attendance: 14365
May 7, 2011 4:05 PM EDT
Rio Tinto Stadium — Sandy, Utah
Referee: P. Ward
Attendance: 14365
87′
Will Johnson
Head to Head Preview: Real Salt Lake - Chivas USA
The expansion team brother squads from 2005 face off.
By Jeremy Horton and Andrea Canales
Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake (Getty)
On Form:
Real Salt Lake: Despite two losses in a row, Salt Lake are still managing games the right way. In both losses, they won the midfield battle and played their way the majority of the time. After not being tested much against Monterrey, Nick Rimando continued to show that he is one of the top goalkeepers in MLS this past weekend, making several spectacular saves against Portland. And finally, centerback Chris Schuler has locked down the first spot behind Nat Borchers and Jamison Olave after another solid performance last week.
Chivas USA: The luxury of a win streak has boosted Chivas USA, but specifically, it has been a total team effort that has made the difference. The first amongst this egalitarian crew, though, is probably Marcos Mondaini, whose insightful passes generated much of the offense for Chivas USA of late.
Off Target:
Salt Lake: The forwards, not too long ago possibly the best in MLS, are floundering. Alvaro Saborio is mired in a deep funk. Fabian Espindola is not in a good place mentally - he was so broken up about losing to Monterrey that he didn't even travel to Portland. Paulo Jr. is nursing a hamstring injury. And Arturo Alvarez hasn't shown much in limited minutes this season. Teams now know that if you can sneak an early goal on RSL, you can park the bus in your own end and manage to snag a win. That tactic worked twice last week.
Chivas USA: If there's anything to criticize about the team of late, it's that their form still seems a bit fragile. Any team can win when everything is clicking, but the really good teams can gut out results even when they're not at their best. Chivas USA has yet to show the consistency to perform as a favorite. Against Real Salt Lake, they probably still won't be favored, but they'll be tested against a squad that wants very badly to right the ship.
Tactics:
Salt Lake: When it rains, it pours, and right now Real are dealing with some injures on offense when they can least afford it. Espindola is still strugging with his confidence, Paulo Jr. is still day-to-day, and now Saborio is having issues with his surgically-repaired knee. On top of that, the worst news is that Andy Williams' wife is back in the hospital with health problems, so Salt Lake figure to be very shorthanded again. Alvarez is the only attacker who is 100% in all respects - he needs to step up quickly if RSL are to figure out a way to start scoring again.
Chivas USA: Now that coach Robin Fraser has seen how Mondaini can contribute to the group, he's going to want more. Look for Chivas USA to give Mondaini the leeway granted a few other quality talented Argentines in MLS, such as Guillermo Barros Schelotto, as a freely roving midfielder. The more unpredictable Fraser lets Mondaini be, the better for Chivas USA.
Intangibles:
Salt Lake: For the first time in RSL's history, a former assistant coach will be back in Sandy as a head coach. Robin Fraser obviously knows Real's system - he helped create it. You'd think he also knows how to beat it. The question is, does he have the on-field talent to do so? The crowd response will also be big in this one. Salt Lake's last home game featured some of the best support we've ever seen in a game on American soil, but since then RSL have lost two straight. How will the fans respond?
Chivas USA: It's not always noticeable, but Chivas USA often gets a hearty group of supporters on the road - partly because of the connection to the parent club in Guadalajara. It gives the squad a boost on away games that other teams simply don't get, and could be key in the otherwise hostile environment of Rio Tinto.
Outcome:
Jeremy Horton: A few weeks ago this looked like a stone-cold lock for RSL to pick up three points. Now that doesn't look to be the case. Real are swooning a bit and Chivas have put together a little run that looks more legit than flukey at this point. Fraser has built Chivas up from the back like we all knew he would. Expect Salt Lake to have trouble breaking them down. Real Salt Lake 1-1 Chivas USA.
Andrea Canales: Fraser will no doubt have Chivas USA keyed up to take on his former club, but the altitude and Real's quality make this a tough proposition. Expect a close contest where Nick Rimando bails out Salt Lake and then a late goal seals it for the home squad, 1-0.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Real Salt Lake: Despite two losses in a row, Salt Lake are still managing games the right way. In both losses, they won the midfield battle and played their way the majority of the time. After not being tested much against Monterrey, Nick Rimando continued to show that he is one of the top goalkeepers in MLS this past weekend, making several spectacular saves against Portland. And finally, centerback Chris Schuler has locked down the first spot behind Nat Borchers and Jamison Olave after another solid performance last week.
Chivas USA: The luxury of a win streak has boosted Chivas USA, but specifically, it has been a total team effort that has made the difference. The first amongst this egalitarian crew, though, is probably Marcos Mondaini, whose insightful passes generated much of the offense for Chivas USA of late.
Off Target:
Salt Lake: The forwards, not too long ago possibly the best in MLS, are floundering. Alvaro Saborio is mired in a deep funk. Fabian Espindola is not in a good place mentally - he was so broken up about losing to Monterrey that he didn't even travel to Portland. Paulo Jr. is nursing a hamstring injury. And Arturo Alvarez hasn't shown much in limited minutes this season. Teams now know that if you can sneak an early goal on RSL, you can park the bus in your own end and manage to snag a win. That tactic worked twice last week.
Chivas USA: If there's anything to criticize about the team of late, it's that their form still seems a bit fragile. Any team can win when everything is clicking, but the really good teams can gut out results even when they're not at their best. Chivas USA has yet to show the consistency to perform as a favorite. Against Real Salt Lake, they probably still won't be favored, but they'll be tested against a squad that wants very badly to right the ship.
Tactics:
Salt Lake: When it rains, it pours, and right now Real are dealing with some injures on offense when they can least afford it. Espindola is still strugging with his confidence, Paulo Jr. is still day-to-day, and now Saborio is having issues with his surgically-repaired knee. On top of that, the worst news is that Andy Williams' wife is back in the hospital with health problems, so Salt Lake figure to be very shorthanded again. Alvarez is the only attacker who is 100% in all respects - he needs to step up quickly if RSL are to figure out a way to start scoring again.
Chivas USA: Now that coach Robin Fraser has seen how Mondaini can contribute to the group, he's going to want more. Look for Chivas USA to give Mondaini the leeway granted a few other quality talented Argentines in MLS, such as Guillermo Barros Schelotto, as a freely roving midfielder. The more unpredictable Fraser lets Mondaini be, the better for Chivas USA.
Intangibles:
Salt Lake: For the first time in RSL's history, a former assistant coach will be back in Sandy as a head coach. Robin Fraser obviously knows Real's system - he helped create it. You'd think he also knows how to beat it. The question is, does he have the on-field talent to do so? The crowd response will also be big in this one. Salt Lake's last home game featured some of the best support we've ever seen in a game on American soil, but since then RSL have lost two straight. How will the fans respond?
Chivas USA: It's not always noticeable, but Chivas USA often gets a hearty group of supporters on the road - partly because of the connection to the parent club in Guadalajara. It gives the squad a boost on away games that other teams simply don't get, and could be key in the otherwise hostile environment of Rio Tinto.
Outcome:
Jeremy Horton: A few weeks ago this looked like a stone-cold lock for RSL to pick up three points. Now that doesn't look to be the case. Real are swooning a bit and Chivas have put together a little run that looks more legit than flukey at this point. Fraser has built Chivas up from the back like we all knew he would. Expect Salt Lake to have trouble breaking them down. Real Salt Lake 1-1 Chivas USA.
Andrea Canales: Fraser will no doubt have Chivas USA keyed up to take on his former club, but the altitude and Real's quality make this a tough proposition. Expect a close contest where Nick Rimando bails out Salt Lake and then a late goal seals it for the home squad, 1-0.
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
-
Real Salt Lake 3-1 Chivas USA
- 23.08 %
-
Real Salt Lake 1-0 Chivas USA
- 23.08 %
-
Real Salt Lake 2-0 Chivas USA
- 23.08 %
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Mar 24, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 0 - Chivas USA 1 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Aug 27, 2011 | Chivas USA 0 - Real Salt Lake 1 |
|
| 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 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | May 22, 2010 | Chivas USA 1 - Real Salt Lake 2 |
|
Real Salt Lake
   |
||
| 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 |
| 6 | Nat Borchers | Defender |
| 4 | Jamison Olave | Defender |
| 3 | Robbie Russell | Defender |
| 17 | Chris Wingert | Defender |
| 8 | Will Johnson | Striker |
| 11 | Javier Morales | Midfielder |
| 5 | Kyle Beckerman | Midfielder |
| 20 | Ned Grabavoy | Midfielder |
| 16 | Fabian Espindola | Striker |
| 15 | Álvaro Saborío | Striker |
| 24 | Kyle Reynish | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Tony Beltran | Defender |
| 28 | Chris Schuler | Defender |
| - | Jean Alexandre | Midfielder |
| 18 | Collen Warner | Midfielder |
| 77 | Andy Williams | Midfielder |
| 10 | A. Álvarez | Striker |
| 1 | Dan Kennedy | Goalkeeper |
| 27 | Andrew Boyens | Defender |
| - | Heath Pearce | Defender |
| 6 | Ante Jazic | Defender |
| 19 | Jorge Villafana | Defender |
| 19 | Zarek Valentin | Defender |
| 7 | Simon Elliott | Midfielder |
| - | Nick LaBrocca | Midfielder |
| 21 | Ben Zemanski | Midfielder |
| 10 | Alejandro Moreno | Striker |
| - | Marcos Mondaini | Striker |
| - | Zach Thornton | Goalkeeper |
| - | Michael Umaña | Defender |
| 8 | Mariano Trujillo | Defender |
| - | Juan Francisco Mendoza Martínez | Midfielder |
| - | Gerson Mayen | Midfielder |
| 17 | Justin Braun | Striker |
| 27 | Víctor Estupiñan | Striker |
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 |