Chivas USA return to the Home Depot Center on Friday evening to face the Chicago Fire looking to earn their first win over the Eastern Conference side since 2008. More importantly, however, The Goats will be aiming to break a poor run of form that has seen them fail to score in all of their home games this season. After their winning record on the road was put to rest by Colorado last weekend, Chivas USA go into a match steeped in rivalry with a point to prove.
There is history between these two clubs and it is a match that is always a feisty encounter. However, putting the rivalry aside, Chivas USA enter a game where they must get some sort of result and at the very least find the net. They are coming under increased pressure from fans and a fifth home loss would certainly leave them struggling to fulfill their Western Conference ambitions.
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Chivas USA’s season has reached one of those games that could define their season. The 4-0 drubbing by the Colorado Rapids could very well spell the end of or, alternatively, the revival of their playoff hopes. Three away wins prior to this match somewhat glossed over the fact that four home games had passed without a goal or any points. A reaction from the players against the Fire could go a long way to disproving predictions that we are in store for another lackluster Chivas campaign. With an impressive away record now broken, tensions in the crowd will be raised for their return to the Home Depot Center. However, with their exaggerated tag of ‘Road Warriors’ now defunct there is now ample opportunity for a home record to begin.
Chicago Fire, on the other hand, find themselves in slightly different position than their Californian opponents. Although sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference, they actually have one less point than the Rojiblancos do, but, have played two fewer games. Of the six games they have played this season though, they have experienced victory, defeat and a tie both home and away already. Bearing in mind a win could see them solidify their mid table status, tackling The Goats at home must fill them with confidence.
The Injury List
The Goats’ preparations for the Chicago Fire game have been boosted by a spate of recoveries from the injury list, which leaves Robin Fraser with an almost full roster to choose from.
Alejandro Moreno, who suffered a concussion against Philadelphia, has recuperated and has fortunately avoided the related problems that blighted Juan Pablo Angel’s start to the season. Peter Vagenas is also available for selection after a rib contusion kept him on the sidelines for the last couple of games. Fellow midfielder Ben Zemanski, who joined him on the sidelines, is not as close to a return but won’t be absent for much longer. Michael Lahoud, although recently being available for selection, has not been risked due to a hamstring injury but will be pushing for a place this weekend.
How will they line-up?
As always, Chivas USA need to find a starting XI, and more importantly an offense, that will put an end to their horrific goal drought at home. Juan Pablo Angel returned to first team against Colorado and, although he failed to find the net, the striker would have been missing his usual match sharpness after his lengthy absence. The question is: Who will partner him up front?
Robin Fraser’s defensive formation could finally make way for a more traditional 4-4-2 in pursuit of that first home goal of 2012. Luckily, Chivas USA’s strength in this predicament is their depth. Available to assist Angel in the goal hunt are; Casey Townsend, Cesar Romero, Miller Bolanos, Alejandro Moreno and new signing Jose Erik Correa. With Fraser not afraid to change things up each week new signing Correa could well find himself thrown into action at some point on Friday night.
After another impressive appearance from the substitute’s bench, Ryan Smith will be unlucky if he finds himself out of the starting XI against Chicago. Chivas’ lack of direct attacking play against the Rapids was remedied by Smith and once again he looked like the one who would get the Goats off the mark. Whatever changes Robin Fraser makes, it will surely be a line-up that has one objective…goals. A squad that has strength in depth is available to the coach and a settled goal scoring line up has to be formed soon.
The Rojiblancos are under increased pressure now and the game against Chicago will be another one that fans will be worried about. Despite it only being one away defeat, the road record is now over and it has highlighted the trouble the team is in. No longer can we hold onto the solace of an away game. Things have to improve at the HDC starting on Friday. With the pressure mounting hopefully the Goats thrive under it and get their increasingly doubtful playoff hopes back on track.
(image courtesy of Robert Husky)
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