Chivas keeping feet on gas pedal
Red-and-White aiming to make run at Western Conference title
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The team has three games left in the regular season, against San Jose, Chicago and Houston, and is a strong contender to take the No. 1 seed in the conference. Depending on the results for the Columbus Crew, the Red-and-White are also within reach of taking the 2009 Supporters' Shield.
"The best thing about these next three games is that we have something to play for," said Chivas USA captain Jesse Marsch. "It's not like we're just coasting. We still have a lot to go. I can tell just from training today that it's not like we're on easy street. Guys are hungry."
This will be the fourth consecutive year that Chivas USA has made the playoffs. But for all their success in getting to the postseason, the Red-and-White have never advanced past the first round.
"More than anything," said Marsch, "the guys that have been here for a long time feel like it's time for us to make a run at something. That's our focus and we're all trying to prepare ourselves for that.
"More than anything," he continued, "I think we've got to stick to the simple things that we've been about all year. And it has to be a team approach. It has to be a bunch of guys who go on the field and understand what the task at hand is and how to do it together."
One of the simple things that Chivas USA has done well all year and will certainly rely on in the playoffs is defense. The Red-and-White have only allowed 25 goals so far in 2009, the lowest mark in MLS.
"The whole team, not just the back four, prides itself on our defense," said defender Ante Jazic. "We keep clean sheets and everyone works hard. We have a good thing going right now; we just have to maintain it in the playoffs."
This year will be Jazic's first foray into the postseason. The Canadian international has been in MLS since 2006, when he joined the LA Galaxy, but has never qualified for the playoffs.
"This season has been great because for the first time, I get to go to the playoffs," he said. "It's something new for me personally. We have a good group of guys here and we've worked extremely hard. Everything is in our hands going down the stretch."
While Jazic has never been to the MLS postseason, he understands the stakes of playoff soccer and is ready for the challenge with Chivas USA.
"It's simple," he said. "If you lose, you go home. So teams will come to compete. But we have a good squad with a strong blend of young players and veteran leadership. I think we're in good shape and I'm excited for the playoffs."
Another veteran player who will get his first taste of the MLS postseason is Mariano Trujillo. The defender spent 12 years in the Mexican Primera Division before coming to Chivas USA this year.
"I'm excited about being in the playoffs," he said. "They're a little bit different than the playoffs in Mexico in terms of format, but it's the same feeling, the same emotions, and the same atmosphere. You really can't make mistakes in those games. You'll be out quickly if you do. You have to play every single game like it's a final."
While Trujillo is excited for the postseason, he shares Marsch's sentiment that the most important thing for Chivas USA right now is to finish the regular season on a high point.
"We're trying to win first place in our conference," he said. "If we play the next three games as playoff games, we're going to be ready for the postseason."
Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
