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MLS Playoff Preview: Real Salt Lake v. Chivas USA
The two fourth-year clubs square off in what will likely be the tightest playoff series in the first round.
Oct 31, 2008 1:40:52 PM
Real Salt Lake v. Chivas USA
When: 6 pm ET, Saturday, November 1
Where: Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT
TV: FSC
The Gist: Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA entered Major League Soccer in 2005. That year Chivas finished dead last while Real were just two points better. Since then, though, the Goats have made the playoffs in the ensuing years while RSL are just now dipping their toes into the postseason waters.
Though Chivas has been in the playoffs the past two years, they have yet to advance. This year they come in on a two game winless streak, but had won their previous four. As it has been all year, their depth will be tested. However, with longtime MLS vet Preki on the bench, experience gives the Goats the upper hand in this series.
Real may not have much experience, but have been dominant at home this year. Their lone loss came at the hands of Chivas and was the difference in home field advantage in this playoff series. Yet, that was the last loss RSL suffered, ending the season on a five game unbeaten streak, including last week’s thrilling tie in which a late goal booked their postseason ticket.
Why You Should Care (Other Than Because It’s The Playoffs!): This is the most balanced of the four postseason series, and the one that has the best chance of being decided on penalty kicks. Real have the advantage of playing at home first and a win will put even more pressure on Chivas in the return leg.
In this first leg, the Goats are dealt another blow to their starting lineup, though this time suspension and not injury is the cause. Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who emerged after Zach Thornton was dropped in Toronto, was shown a red card last week. Thornton will be back in the nets and the veteran netminder won’t be much of a drop off, but in a match up this tight every factor is magnified.
For Real’s offense to take advantage of Kennedy’s absence, Javier Morales will have to be at the top of his game. The midfield maestro is often overlooked when accolades are handed out, but without the mercurial Argentine Salt Lake would be at home in November for the fourth straight year. Will Johnson provides great pace on the left and will force Atiba Harris to track back more than he would like. In front of Morales, Yura Movsisyan is the focal point while Clint Mathis has been a disappointment in his return as the former U.S. international has failed to record a goal or an assist in 11 games.
While Johnson gives Real the advantage on that side of the field, Sacha Kljestan gives Chivas a bigger advantage on the opposite flank. Lining up against the often inert Andy Williams, Kljestan -- and Francisco Mendoza behind him -- will have little difficulty moving forward on the left. Maykel Galindo is not available, as has been the case for much of the season, but Ante Razov is, giving Preki one of his main options up front this year. The left footed striker has formed a solid partnership with Alecko Eskandarian and one of the two will be set to pounce on any mistakes made by Nick Rimando, as he is want to do occasionally.
Who’s The Man Right Now?: Yura Movsisyan. The leading goal scorer for either side with seven on the year. None were more important than his last second tap in at Colorado last week, which was his second straight game finding the back of the net.
Prediction: Real Salt Lake 2, Chivas USA 1
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com
When: 6 pm ET, Saturday, November 1
Where: Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT
TV: FSC
The Gist: Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA entered Major League Soccer in 2005. That year Chivas finished dead last while Real were just two points better. Since then, though, the Goats have made the playoffs in the ensuing years while RSL are just now dipping their toes into the postseason waters.
Though Chivas has been in the playoffs the past two years, they have yet to advance. This year they come in on a two game winless streak, but had won their previous four. As it has been all year, their depth will be tested. However, with longtime MLS vet Preki on the bench, experience gives the Goats the upper hand in this series.
Real may not have much experience, but have been dominant at home this year. Their lone loss came at the hands of Chivas and was the difference in home field advantage in this playoff series. Yet, that was the last loss RSL suffered, ending the season on a five game unbeaten streak, including last week’s thrilling tie in which a late goal booked their postseason ticket.
Why You Should Care (Other Than Because It’s The Playoffs!): This is the most balanced of the four postseason series, and the one that has the best chance of being decided on penalty kicks. Real have the advantage of playing at home first and a win will put even more pressure on Chivas in the return leg.
In this first leg, the Goats are dealt another blow to their starting lineup, though this time suspension and not injury is the cause. Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who emerged after Zach Thornton was dropped in Toronto, was shown a red card last week. Thornton will be back in the nets and the veteran netminder won’t be much of a drop off, but in a match up this tight every factor is magnified.
For Real’s offense to take advantage of Kennedy’s absence, Javier Morales will have to be at the top of his game. The midfield maestro is often overlooked when accolades are handed out, but without the mercurial Argentine Salt Lake would be at home in November for the fourth straight year. Will Johnson provides great pace on the left and will force Atiba Harris to track back more than he would like. In front of Morales, Yura Movsisyan is the focal point while Clint Mathis has been a disappointment in his return as the former U.S. international has failed to record a goal or an assist in 11 games.
While Johnson gives Real the advantage on that side of the field, Sacha Kljestan gives Chivas a bigger advantage on the opposite flank. Lining up against the often inert Andy Williams, Kljestan -- and Francisco Mendoza behind him -- will have little difficulty moving forward on the left. Maykel Galindo is not available, as has been the case for much of the season, but Ante Razov is, giving Preki one of his main options up front this year. The left footed striker has formed a solid partnership with Alecko Eskandarian and one of the two will be set to pounce on any mistakes made by Nick Rimando, as he is want to do occasionally.
Who’s The Man Right Now?: Yura Movsisyan. The leading goal scorer for either side with seven on the year. None were more important than his last second tap in at Colorado last week, which was his second straight game finding the back of the net.
Prediction: Real Salt Lake 2, Chivas USA 1
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com
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