Opportunity for big points awaits Chivas
First-place Chivas aim to put distance between themselves and Seattle
The teams have played once in Carson already, with Chivas USA getting a 2-0 win on April 18. Seattle will be eager to avenge the early season loss.
"It was a really good game last time here at The Home Depot Center and we're expecting the same thing," said Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton. "Look at their roster -- starting in the goal with Kasey Keller, they don't have any weaknesses. It's a good test for us."
Saturday's match will be Chivas USA's first look at Keller, who was suspended with a red card the first time the teams met. The veteran 'keeper has four shutouts this season and enjoys the league's best goals-against average.
"Keller is obviously an important piece of their team," said Chivas USA head coach Preki. "He's going to make it difficult for us, but we can't worry about that. We just have to make sure that when we have our moments, we have some quality around the goal."
The Red-and-White will be without Jesse Marsch, Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan for Saturday's match. Marsch will be serving a red card suspension while Bornstein and Kljestan are on international duty with the U.S. national team. The team will once again be relying on its depth against Sounders FC.
"We've got a bunch of players here who can play in a lot of different spots," said Paulo Nagamura. "It's a good thing to have this versatility, and we're used to missing players for games here and there."
A number of players could step up to fill the holes left by Marsch, Kljestan, and Bornstein. Justin Braun, Bojan Stepanovic and Gerson Mayén are all capable on the flanks, while Sasha Victorine and rookie Michael Lahoud provide options in the middle.
In defense, Jim Curtin and Claudio Suárez are both available, and U.S. under-20 regular Jorge Flores could also see his first action as a defender in the 2009 season.
Since starting the season with seven wins from nine games, the Red-and-White have taken only two points from their last three matches.
"We knew in the beginning of the year that we weren't going to go the entire season without tough moments," said Preki. "If you want to call this a tough moment, it might be. But good teams find a way to get out of it. Good teams don't stay in a funk for long and hopefully we can come out of it right away."
Chivas USA are in good spirits ahead of Saturday's match despite the unlucky results in the last three matches.
"In the last couple of games, we felt that the ball bounced a little awkward for us and maybe a call here and there wasn't going our way," said Preki. "But those are just excuses, and bad ones. We don't want to make excuses. The group is working hard like they always do, they're mentally strong and they won't let anything distract them."
Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com
