Wednesday night soccer anyone?
Chivas USA travels to BMO Field tonight, to take on a reeling TFC club in front what is sure to be the customary rowdy Canadian crowd (no mid-week attendance excuses for the Reds).
The game is not being televised, so I'll be watching via the magic of the internet. As Chivas is the early season pacesetter and TFC is, well, TFC (a.k.a. intriguing because people up there really care), I've decided to preview the match. I'll also be attempting my first true match report after the game, so look for that as well.
On to the preview after the jump.
Chivas USA comes into tonight's match riding high, leading the Western Conference and the Supporters Shield standings by an enormous early-season buffer of four points. Manager Preki has seemingly worked magic in the early weeks, getting strong performances out of lineups that are far from first choice. Injuries have kept out several players Chivas expects major contributions from, chief among them Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo. Neither has made an appearance yet in 2009, a fact which only serves to make more impressive the Goats fast start. Leaning on Sacha Kjlestan, Jesse March and a strong defense, Chivas has proven they have a recipe that works regardless of the crucial players missing.
Toronto has underwhelmed to this point, and after a disappointing (and controversial) loss to previously winless FC Dallas last week, the Reds will look to turn around their fortunes against the league leaders. That effort will be made all the more difficult by the absence of midfield maestro Dwayne DeRosario, who will miss tonight's match with a hamstring injury. The bulk of the creative responsibilities will then fall to former MLS MVP Amado Guevara, a fact that may actually help Toronto: To this point in 2009, DeRosario and Guevara have yet to find an understanding while playing together, and Toronto's attack has suffered for it.
Typically, road teams struggle in MLS, regardless of support; Chivas might normally be expected to sit back, absorb Toronto's pressure, and attempt to catch the Reds out through counterattacks. However, both Chivas head man Preki as well as Toronto boss John Carver could mix things up; the former because his team is riding a wave of confidence and the latter because a home victory is imperative to stop the bleeding. Without DeRosario pushing the attack, a slightly more defensive posture might carry the day for Toronto. Chivas will likely attack as the situation dictates, though it's unlikely they'll commit too much forward regardless of their recent form.
Tonight's is a crucial match for both side: Toronto desperately needs a home win to kick start their season, while Chivas needs to consolidate their early season success with a road win in a hostile environment. More than likely these competing elements will cancel each other out. It might be an ugly, if still entertaining, match at BMO Field.
Match Fit USA Prediction:
Toronto FC 1, Chivas USA 1
Just a vibe, but I think we're going to see a red card in tonight's match. I don't know which side, and I don't know if it will be a straight red or for a second yellow: it's just a gut feeling.
