Real Salt Lake -vs- Chivas USA
from the perspective of Chivas USA fan Stephen Schaller
Chivas USA will try to get back to winning ways this week as they entertain Real Salt Lake at the Home Depot Center. The Goats’ three-game win streak, which could genuinely be described as a minor miracle when you consider the rash of injuries, was snapped last week against RBNY, courtesy of a Juan Pablo Angel goal.
The early-season defense and goalkeeping, which more greatly resembled a sieve rather than Preki’s normal vice, seems to have corrected itself, despite the slew of injuries over the last month and a half. Goals have come from several unexpected sources, with Jesse Marsch and Jorge Flores in good scoring form. Despite the lack of continuity in team selection, Chivas USA has stayed in the thick of the Western Conference hunt. Dropped points in this one would be a disappointment in light of recent form.
Preki, for the first time all season, has the luxury of playing the majority of his first-team players. No fresh injuries to report, with only Maykel Galindo as the only name to join long-term injuries Alecko Eskandarian and Alex Zotinca.
With Jonathan Bornstein healthy, Preki will face a decision to deploy at left back, either the U.S international or Panchito Mendoza, who’s filled in admirably in Bornstein’s absence. Mendoza has always a surefire starter under Preki (to the chagrin of a certain CDCUSA fan) but due to the glut of injuries, he was forced further back, allowing Jorge “El Sueño” Flores to log minutes at left-midfield. That experiment has paid dividends, not only because Mendoza has looked considerably better at fullback, but also because the 19-year old Flores has flourished, scoring three goals in his first three appearances of the year.
Also set to miss out is Sasha Kljestan, who will be on US Men’s National Team duty this weekend. Though keeper Brad Guzan is also on the roster for the World Cup Qualifier against Barbados, he should play all 90 minutes for the Goats. Kljestan’s absence will obviously hurt, as he’s emerged as one of the most creative and exciting players in MLS, but the team will be buoyed by the reemergence of former Swiss international Raphael Wicky, who’s had quite the laundry list of injuries this year. Wicky is finally healthy, and though his fitness will not be up to snuff, sources have said he will get the start. Who he spells is anyone’s guess, as captain Jesse Marsch has been a great source for goals thus far.
Ante Razov did not look his usual sharp self last week, but that was most likely due to rust. Carey Talley should continue to log minutes, as he’s been an inspirational player of late, even though Lawson Vaughn is healthy after recovering from a Dwayne DeRosario boot to the face. Shavar Thomas returns, as does Claudio Suarez, and it will be interesting to see if they both get the nod. Thomas is a shoo-in when healthy, but Suarez has looked shaky and his age is starting to show.
What we do at forward will be interesting. I tend to think that Flores will be moved up top, rather than his usual spot at left mid, but Preki also seems to like Atiba Harris, so he will probably pair with Razov.
Here’s a guess at the lineup, though trying to get inside Preki’s mind is always a bit of a fool’s errand:
----------------------Guzan---------------------------
Talley----------Thomas-----Curtin---------Mendoza
Braun--------------Wicky---Marsch----------Flores
---------------Harris----------Razov-------------------
A full three points could put Chivas USA atop the Western Conference while a loss would see the Salt Lakers leapfrog them. Playing at home, with a squad that finally resembles our first-XI, Preki will expect full points from this one, though RSL has looked a much-improved side this year.
Prediction: Chivas USA 2 0 Real Salt Lake
