After another disappointing result at home, Chivas USA go back on the road for their second away fixture of the season this Saturday against the Portland Timbers. Their first away game of the season, against Real Salt Lake, provided not only their solitary goal of the year but their only points as well. Robin Fraser will be hoping his side can emulate that performance this Saturday and keep The Goats’ season on track.
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Chivas USA have had a tough time at Home Depot Center so far this season and a game away from home will perhaps be a welcome relief for players and fans alike. They are also coming off the back of two games against sides leading the Western and Eastern conferences respectively. However, facing the Portland Timbers won’t be an easy encounter and this will no doubt be another difficult game for Chivas. Still, trying to find their feet in the 2012 season, The Rojiblancos face a side currently one point above them in the Western Conference and a direct competitor for their desired playoff place.
Although only one point ahead, Portland has been scoring goals, something Chivas has not been doing. And with the players and the Head Coach stating they have to just ‘go for it’ more in games, this could prove to be an exciting encounter between two teams desperate for points. However, Portland (1-2-1) are looking to avoid a second consecutive loss at home and despite scoring more than Chivas so far this season they have also conceded before scoring any in each of their four games. So with the Timbers struggling in defense and The Goats struggling in offense it could also prove to be a tight, cagey meeting.
How will they line-up?
Robin Fraser has set up his side quite defensively this season, regularly only playing one man up front. However, with three narrow 1-0 defeats there is a chance he will allow his team to be a bit more adventurous in attack this week. Of course, the defensive philosophy will remain but we might just see another attack minded player being added to the line-up. Frustration at losing cheap goals and not being able to respond will maybe see Chivas USA risking more against The Timbers this weekend. For the second time this season in a reserve game, new signing Cesar Romero, has scored a hat-trick (this week’s coming against LA Galaxy) so it is possible he might get some more game time in Portland.
Portland Timbers’ next two games are against the Los Angeles teams and despite LA Galaxy’s poor start to the season they will no doubt rate their chances better when facing Chivas USA. Despite losing 6 goals this season they have also managed to score 6 overall. This could be looked at from two different angles. On the one hand, they have leaked twice as many goals as Chivas, who are still looking to find their confidence in front of goal. But, on the other, they have also scored more freely than a side who has only mustered one goal in over 360 minutes of soccer. Whatever way you look at it, both sides have struggled so far this season and will go into this match more than confident of a win.
One thing is for sure, Chivas USA need more points. A win, or even a tie, this weekend could possibly lift them from the bottom of the Western Conference and revitalize their early season form. The performances of Chivas USA in each of their four games this season have been easy to analyze and Robin Fraser knows what the solution is to the lack of goals and concentration. With time, things will get better and the goals will come. However, for the game against Portland on Saturday, all they have to look to is the Real Salt Lake game they played two weeks ago. A game that was won through hard work and determination earned them their only goal and points of the season. That performance, away from the Home Depot Center, will hopefully inspire Chivas USA towards another three points and the chance of creating some away form.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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