MLS Preview: Chivas USA at Houston Dynamo

Who: Chivas USA vs. Houston Dynamo
What: Major League Soccer regular season
When: 8:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Where: Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV: ESPN 2

It's a clash of Western Conference powers in this midweek game. Chivas USA and the Houston Dynamo have finished in the top two positions in the West the past two years and occupy those spots currently. Chivas USA leads the league with 27 points. However, only six points back sits Houston with two games in hand.

Rounding towards the middle of the season, it's a top of the table collision that could potentially have Supporters' Shield implications.

Missing Stars

If either team is to win, it will have to do so without some key components.

Houston is missing Brian Ching (hamstring) and Ricardo Clark (international duty). Chivas will be without Sacha Kljestan (international duty), Jonathan Bornstein (international duty), Mariano Trujillo (yellow card accumulation), as well as the handful of players on injury reserve. Justin Bruan and Shavar Thomas could also miss out due to concussions.

Of the two, Houston look better set to deal with the absences. Richard Mulrooney can step into Clark's holding midfield role amply, and any one of Houston's latest three striking acquisitions (Ade Akinbiyi, Dominic Oduro, Cam Weaver) could partner Kei Kamara in attack.

On the other hand, Chivas will be without its starting fullbacks. Jorge Flores stepped in at leftback against the Seattle Sounders Saturday to decent effect, but is better suited in a midfield role. Ante Jazic, though recently removed from the injury reserve, may not be fit enough to play Wednesday. On the right, with Lawson Vaughn (ankle) injured, Claudio Suarez may slot into the middle, pushing Carey Talley wide right. Braun deputized for Kljestan on the weekend, but if he can't start, veteran Sacha Victorine could get the nod.

Contrasting Styles

Despite being joined as consistent Western leaders, the two clubs differ in ethos nearly as dramatically as any two MLS clubs.

18 of Houston's 25 players hail from the United States. Chivas USA, sister-club to Chivas de Guadalajara, has strong ties to Mexico. The roster boasts three Mexicans, including club captain,  national team legend Suarez.

In attack, Houston rely on big strikers as targets for crosses from wide. Dominic Oduro is the shortest forward on the roster, at 6'0. Chivas tends to prefer shorter forwards to nip in behind defenses with pace and latch onto through balls.

Prediction:

Chivas USA has scored a grand total of one goal in Robertson Stadium, and that came back in July 8, 2006 during a 3-1 loss. Preki has yet to beat Houston. Unbeaten in eight, Houston are the form and historical favorites in this one.

Chivas USA 1-2 Houston Dynamo

Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com

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