Thursday, April 5, 2007

Catching up with Chivas USA

I've been kinda steamrolling along here heading into the season with so many different things going on. Chivas USA's season starts against Toronto FC on Saturday. I'll have to some research on the league's newest club and see what kinds of problems they'll pose to Chivas USA.

Now, Chivas USA still has questions that need resolving. For as much faith as I have in some of their young players (Mendoza, Kljestan, Jonny B) there are still holes in the team. Who is going to replace Paco Palencia? Can Amado Guevara play like the Amado Guevara of old? Does Claudio Suarez have one more full season left in him? Where is the depth?

Paco and Loco left and took their 12 goals and 10 assists with them. Can Amado Guevara and Galindo/Cunliffe/Taylor/Merlin replace that? Possibly. Also, Mendoza and Kljestan had just three goals between them so they might also help pick up the slack. But it's not just statistics that need replacing. Palencia was a leader through and through. He was in many ways the heart of this club last year, even though he had just four goals. He did so much that he is really irreplaceable.

Even the team still feels there are some questions that need answering. The mood is upbeat and everyone looks ready to start the season but nobody knows what team we'll get here; not us, not fans, not the coaches and not the players. Only time will tell. The pieces look good but we'll see how they play out.

For his part, Amado Guevara says he's raring and ready to go.

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