On Saturday, Chivas USA welcome the New York Red Bulls to the Home Depot Center (10:30 pm ET, Galavision). The Goats surprised the league in the first meeting between the teams on May 15 in winning 3-2 on a Justin Braun hat trick. I predicted in my preview for that match (seriously, it’s there, go take a look) that Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul was often out of position, and Braun exploited that to full effect in that game. Now that we’ve come two months along in the season, it is clear that the Red Bulls have the most talented team on paper in the league, but they have often faltered in their actual performances. They are a team that can whip an opponent 5-0, but they can also draw or lose to inferior competition with surprising regularity. Obviously, this bodes well for Chivas. Additionally, New York may get some bad karma in this game, as they completely dogged their U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match against the Chicago Fire earlier this week. While it is not uncommon for MLS teams to play weakened squads in the Open Cup, New York essentially sent lambs for the slaughter, as no starters made the trip, and Coach Hans Backe did not even travel to Chicago. As a result of their lack of effort, the Red Bulls lost 4-0. Maybe the furor that surrounded that game will still hang over the team on Saturday?
Chivas haven’t made any moves yet in the transfer window, but the Red Bulls obtained German goalkeeper Frank Rost this week and signed him as their third designated player. Rost is expected to play despite never practicing with the team, so that will represent a unique opportunity for Chivas. Rost has the reputation of marshaling a defense well on set pieces, but he and the defense will be playing on the fly in this match. It represents a chance for Chivas to throw bodies into the box on crosses and set pieces, and try to confuse Rost and New York’s backline into making mistakes and miscommunicating with each other.
Chivas also need to contain the Red Bulls’ offense, which has been their strong suit all season. Thierry Henry has played very well this season, and scored in the first match, but his public comments this week about having to give interviews point to some frustration and irritation, so maybe he will not be as focused as normal. Luke Rodgers has also been battling a foot injury, so it isn’t clear if he will feature, but Juan Agudelo is perhaps the most dangerous forward in the league who comes off the bench, so if he gets a shot from the start, Chivas will have to stay on top of him. In addition, Joel Lindpere has definitely benefitted from Dwayne de Rosario’s departure, and has played very well the last few weeks. For Chivas, Nick LaBrocca will obviously be the focal point, as he has been playing outstanding soccer lately, but the Red Bulls will likely cover him pretty well, so it is likely up to somebody else to get through the defense. Maybe Justin Braun can return to the form of the last game against New York, or maybe Marcos Mondaini will step up and carry the offense if necessary.
Chivas are missing long-term absentees Jimmy Conrad (concussion) and Alejandro Moreno (Venezuela national team). Ante Jazic (calf) is also likely out, and Paulo Nagamura (quad) is listed as probable. For New York, Carl Robinson (knee) and Rafael Marquez (hamstring) are out, while Rodgers is listed as questionable.
Chivas probably can’t duplicate the game plan from the first match, but they can follow the spirit of it and play a high energy game with lots of balls into the box from all angles. It will not be easy, and the Red Bulls are a very good team, but Chivas have beaten them once this season, and are confident they can sweep the series between the teams.
(image courtesy of Juan Miranda/Chivas USA)
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