Chivas USA take on Sporting Kansas City this coming Sunday in what will be their second game in a row against a side leading their conference. After a shock 1-0 away win over Real Salt Lake last weekend, The Goats will be trying to repeat this feat in front of their home fans at the Home Depot Center. Brimming with confidence after their performance in Utah, they will face a side that has an impressive 100% winning record so far this year. Chivas USA’s performances have been improving every week and they will have to continue that way if they are going to provide the league with another shock result.
The victory over RSL last weekend has given The Rojiblancos a massive boost going into the SKC match. It was a game that included their first goal of the season and an outstanding defensive performance that would have shocked many who firmly expected RSL to win. Despite notching their first goal of the season though, a lack of chances was the one criticism that was aimed at the players after the game. If they turn up on Sunday with the same attitude and desire, Chivas have a chance of finally claiming some points at the HDC.
How will they line up?
So far this season Chivas USA have adopted a more defense minded approach to their games and this will no doubt remain the same against Sporting Kansas City. Robin Fraser has various attacking options, with even more players due back from injury, but he clearly feels Chivas’ strength at the moment is frustrating their opponents with a strong defense. Key to this formation is Oswaldo Minda and Peter Vagenas who will sit in front of the backline and anchor the midfield as two defensive midfielders. After scoring his first career goal last week against Real Salt Lake, forward Casey Townsend is likely to spearhead the attack again in the absence of Juan Pablo Angel.
Scoring opportunities have been quite scarce this season and can be attributed to both a lack of possession and poor decision making. When in attack the team has lacked what Robin Fraser referred to as ‘aggression’. Although lining up quite defensively, there is still a lot of attacking talent available, with players such as LaBrocca, Courtois, Smith and Townsend, but they haven’t seen enough of the ball during the games either. Possession, therefore, is going to be vital in this match. With a formation suited to breaking down the SKC attacks, Fraser will be looking for his players to control the ball better than what they have done and provide these players with more service.
Sporting Kansas City, on the other hand, will certainly favor their chances against a side that is currently bottom of the Western Conference. With three wins out of three SKC have had the perfect start to the 2012 season and have high hopes for the season ahead. Head Coach Peter Vermes saw his side leave it late in their last game against FC Dallas and will probably look for the game to be wrapped up a bit earlier this time. With an impressive attacking line-up SKC will possibly be the toughest test yet for Chivas USA.
Who is missing?
Juan Pablo Angel is still undergoing the post-concussion protocol due to the head knock he received in preseason so is likely to miss another game as a precaution. The Colombian has been absent from training and will have to wait until he gets the all clear before he returns. Alejandro Moreno though, who has been waiting for his broken nose to heal, could return with the aid of protective face mask. Another player on the mend, but perhaps less likely to feature is Michael Lahoud. The winger suffered a hamstring injury before the season even started and almost ready for a return to action. Considering it is the problematic issue of a hamstring Robin Fraser might not want to risk bringing him back too early. The same also applies to Blair Gavin who has been making progress with his hamstring injury but won’t be ready for Sunday.
Great Expectations
The problem now is that Chivas USA fans will perhaps expect nothing less than another victory over one of the league’s top teams. If this is going to happen though, The Goats must match the desire and intensity that they showed against Real Salt Lake whilst committing more when going forward. Although, Townsend’s goal last weekend was down to some good play from the rookie, he did benefit from a slice of luck when the keeper allowed the ball to slip from his grasp. Chivas USA might not have such luck against SKC and will have to rely on some clearer cut opportunities this time if they are to give the fans their 1st home goal of the season.
Last season, Chivas USA and Sporting Kansas City met twice at the Home Depot Center and on both occasions Sporting left with all three points. Chivas USA have struggled at home this season with two 1-0 defeats so the odds will be heavily stacked in SKC’s favor. Nevertheless, considering their last result, this game gives The Goats another opportunity to knock another winning team out of their stride.
(image courtesy of Juan Paz)
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