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MLS Preview: Chivas USA – Colorado Rapids
The chase for the Western Conference playoff spots starts now, as Chivas USA host the Colorado Rapids. It's a clash of rivals as well as of styles, says Goal.com's Zac Lee Rigg.
Mar 20, 2009 8:35:58 PM
You Coulda Been A Contender
The long road to the Western Conference playoffs begins now for these two clubs. The Colorado Rapids failed to make it in 2008 on the last day of the regular season thanks to a painful loss to rivals Real Salt Lake, but Chivas USA eased in at second in the West.
Both teams expect to be in the playoff hunt again this season, and an early matchup against a competitor could turn out to be a six pointer come the end of the season. Neither team will want to give up early points, and will be looking to get their 2009 seasons off on the right foot.
Mexican Merry-Go-Round
This offseason has seen Chivas USA struggle to keep parity in the squad with key losses. Mexican duo Claudio Suarez and Francisco Mendoza have departed. Former captain Suarez retired after gawking at a low contract renewal offer, and Mendoza joined sister-club Chivas de Guadalajara. They have been replaced by Mexican duo Eduardo Lillingston and Mariano Trujillo, two hardworking players who might lack the cutting edge to make drastic differences to the squad
However, head coach Preki can count on the same core of players that has helped the squad reach the playoffs for three years running.
“When you look at the core of the team, we've been here three, four years,” said Jamaican defender Shavar Thomas. “That's good for us, and the new guys are fitting in and doing their part.”
That core will have to do without attackers Ante Razov, Alecko Eskandarian, and Maykel Galindo, as all are unfit to start. How well Justin Braun and Lillingston -- both big, hard working players who lack a bit of pace and creativity -- can perform will have a large impact on which way this game goes.
Going English
English coach Gary Smith has brought a distinctively British manner of play to the Colorado Rapids. Hired midseason 2008, Smith went about putting his own touch on his squad, offloading Argentine playmaker Christian Gomez, and lining up with two wide players and a target striker.
It's a no-nonsense approach, and it seems to be working. Smith turned Colorado's fortunes around at the tail end of 2008. Grafters like Cory Gibbs, Ugo Ihemelu, Pablo Mastroeni, and a combination of youngsters provide the base for wingers Colin Clark and Terry Cooke to cross to target-man Conor Casey.
In goal for Colorado will be Matt Pickens, who most recently played in England with Queens Park Rangers. He was perhaps Colorado's biggest offseason acquisition.
Players to Watch
Chivas USA – Sacha Kljestan. As Kljestan's form goes, so does the Chivas USA attack. In preseason, Kljestan struggled with an ankle injury and has yet to find the groove he was in in 2008. However, his vision, languid skill on the ball, and knack for game-changing plays cannot be counted out.
Colorado Rapids – Colin Clark. The left winger has scored five out of the six goals over the course of his MLS career against Los Angeles clubs, and seems to have a knack for doing it in the Home Depot Center. Chivas lack a bit of pace at right back, and the quick 24-year-old could very well exploit that for his offensive forays.
Prediction
“It's a home game: it should be three points. That's all,” said attacker Atiba Harris of this game. A quick glance at the record books confirms this, as most MLS teams struggle heavily on the road. However, Chivas may just be too depleted to gather the three points.
Chivas USA 1-1 Colorado Rapids
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
The long road to the Western Conference playoffs begins now for these two clubs. The Colorado Rapids failed to make it in 2008 on the last day of the regular season thanks to a painful loss to rivals Real Salt Lake, but Chivas USA eased in at second in the West.
Both teams expect to be in the playoff hunt again this season, and an early matchup against a competitor could turn out to be a six pointer come the end of the season. Neither team will want to give up early points, and will be looking to get their 2009 seasons off on the right foot.
Mexican Merry-Go-Round
This offseason has seen Chivas USA struggle to keep parity in the squad with key losses. Mexican duo Claudio Suarez and Francisco Mendoza have departed. Former captain Suarez retired after gawking at a low contract renewal offer, and Mendoza joined sister-club Chivas de Guadalajara. They have been replaced by Mexican duo Eduardo Lillingston and Mariano Trujillo, two hardworking players who might lack the cutting edge to make drastic differences to the squad
However, head coach Preki can count on the same core of players that has helped the squad reach the playoffs for three years running.
“When you look at the core of the team, we've been here three, four years,” said Jamaican defender Shavar Thomas. “That's good for us, and the new guys are fitting in and doing their part.”
That core will have to do without attackers Ante Razov, Alecko Eskandarian, and Maykel Galindo, as all are unfit to start. How well Justin Braun and Lillingston -- both big, hard working players who lack a bit of pace and creativity -- can perform will have a large impact on which way this game goes.
Going English
English coach Gary Smith has brought a distinctively British manner of play to the Colorado Rapids. Hired midseason 2008, Smith went about putting his own touch on his squad, offloading Argentine playmaker Christian Gomez, and lining up with two wide players and a target striker.
It's a no-nonsense approach, and it seems to be working. Smith turned Colorado's fortunes around at the tail end of 2008. Grafters like Cory Gibbs, Ugo Ihemelu, Pablo Mastroeni, and a combination of youngsters provide the base for wingers Colin Clark and Terry Cooke to cross to target-man Conor Casey.
In goal for Colorado will be Matt Pickens, who most recently played in England with Queens Park Rangers. He was perhaps Colorado's biggest offseason acquisition.
Players to Watch
Chivas USA – Sacha Kljestan. As Kljestan's form goes, so does the Chivas USA attack. In preseason, Kljestan struggled with an ankle injury and has yet to find the groove he was in in 2008. However, his vision, languid skill on the ball, and knack for game-changing plays cannot be counted out.
Colorado Rapids – Colin Clark. The left winger has scored five out of the six goals over the course of his MLS career against Los Angeles clubs, and seems to have a knack for doing it in the Home Depot Center. Chivas lack a bit of pace at right back, and the quick 24-year-old could very well exploit that for his offensive forays.
Prediction
“It's a home game: it should be three points. That's all,” said attacker Atiba Harris of this game. A quick glance at the record books confirms this, as most MLS teams struggle heavily on the road. However, Chivas may just be too depleted to gather the three points.
Chivas USA 1-1 Colorado Rapids
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
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