Chivas USA make the journey to Canada this weekend to take on a struggling Toronto FC side in what will be their final match of a two game road trip. Last weekend saw The Goats leave Portland with all three points in a hard fought game against the Timbers and a similar, if not improved, performance will be expected in Canada. Toronto FC have also struggled to get their season going as planned, and will be hoping to finally give their home fans something to cheer about this Saturday.
RECENT FORM
Robin Fraser’s men will be once again brimming with confidence, securing a second consecutive away win after defeating Portland 2-1 last Saturday. Although going a goal down in the first half, Chivas USA rallied in the 2nd half and replied via a Ryan Smith inspired performance. The 3 points lifted them from the bottom of the Western Conference and put them above both the Timbers and LA Galaxy in the league. It also saw them double their goal tally of the season so far, in less than 40mins of soccer, when Alejandro Moreno and Nick LaBrocca notched their first goals of the season. After three home defeats this year, Chivas USA’s only goals and points have come on the road so the game against Toronto may be another crucial early season fixture.
Toronto FC, on the other hand, has also struggled so far this year and currently lay bottom of the Eastern Conference. Despite some encouraging performances in the CONCACAF Champions League, they have lost all four of their MLS games in 2012. Toronto FC are returning home to host Chivas USA after falling 2-1 to fellow Canadian side Montreal Impact last weekend. With their last home game also ending in defeat, Toronto will be desperate to revive their season against a Chivas side that still has a lot to prove.
HOW WILL CHIVAS USA LINE UP?
Robin Fraser made some changes to his line-up against Portland and after going a goal down also made some game changing substitutions. After some poor attacking displays Fraser had queried whether his side should just ‘go for it’ more in games. This certainly seemed to work last weekend and a similar starting line-up will be probably be deployed.
Making way against the Timbers, Casey Townsend, Laurent Courtois and Ryan Smith were replaced by Zemanski, Gavin and Romero. The changes might have shown some players their place in the side was not guaranteed and if needed Robin Fraser would change things up. However, it was substitute Ryan Smith that made the difference. The midfielder came on as a substitute, provided two assists, and was essentially the focal point of the victory and will be hoping he has earned his way back into the starting 11. With players returning from injury and a good performance in Portland Robin Fraser definitely has a few tough decisions to make on certain positions.
THE INJURY LIST
The players that are likely to be unavailable for this match remain the same as last week. Juan Pablo Angel is still slowly being brought back to full fitness due to the concussion symptoms he has been suffering. Marvin Iraheta’s knee also keeps him sidelined for another fixture.
Listed as doubtful are midfielders Peter Vagenas and Michael Lahoud who are nursing rib and hamstring problems respectively.
It is perhaps a bit too early in the season to say Chivas USA’s away form will be crucial in the 2012 season. Although all three games at the Home Depot Center this season have ended in defeat for the Rojiblancos, they have slowly been improving with every game. Luck would have it that they have fared better away from home, but there has been more to it than simply being on the road. Robin Fraser had warned early in the season, before any results, that his side needed time to find their rhythm and get to know each other. Nevertheless, the stats don’t lie. The Goats seem to thrive when under pressure away from home and Toronto will provide this on Saturday. This will by no means be an easy game for Chivas USA but they will be looking to continue their impressive away run, against a side also struggling for goals and points, and make it three for three on the road.
(image courtesy of Craig Mitchelldyer)
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