Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Chivas USOC

A year ago, Chivas USA suffered a humiliating defeat to Dallas Roma FC in the US Open Cup. But players are focused on this year's effort, though last year's loss still reverberates with some of the players.

Chivas USA will play Seattle in the third round of this year's Open Cup tonight. Four players will not be available: Paulo Nagamura is injured, Jonathan Bornstein is headed to Colorado for the All-Star game, Shavar Thomas is cup-tied to the Galaxy (his lone game for the Galaxy was against the Crew in an Open Cup qualifier) and Ante Razov is suspended for his red card last year against Roma FC.

Otherwise, Preki said the club was going to field their strongest team. I suppose that means Brad Guzan in goal over Preston Burpo, but that may be the only spot I think he won't have a regular starter in.

My guess for the starting lineup:

Brad Guzan; Orlando Perez, Claudio Suarez, Jason Hernandez, Lawson Vaughn; Francisco Mendoza, Jesse Marsch, Sacha Kljestan, Alex Zotinca; Maykel Galindo, Laurent Merlin.

If they go with that lineup (or Burpo instead of Guzan), I think Chivas USA will win. Given their road problems, though, an upset wouldn't be a complete surprise.

The game's going to be streamed on this webcast.

ADD: The story's finally up on Chivas USA's web site.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Chivas ...

Is it too late for Becks to pull a Roberto Ayala (flove him more than I do Celtic, but still) and rescind his contract with Galaxy and go to Chivas USA? The world wins, he goes to a better playing team but still stays in L.A.

Who's with me? Where can I send my suggestion?