Best of the West

By: Richard | April 18th, 2009

“As long as no-one scored, it was always going to be close” Arsene Wenger

That pretty much summed up last weekends exciting, yet scoreless Superclásico. Chivas played as a far more dominant side, even when down to ten men and should be most satisfied with their ability to neutralize any kind of threat the Galaxy had to offer. That they did so with a defense that has been besieged by injuries and ill timed National call-ups made it all the more sweet. Chivas have turned a scrappy, ever changing back line into a dominant respected force that has allowed just 3 goals in four games. Add to that, Goalkeeper Zach Thornton coming off his second shutout of the season and they have to be confident heading into this weekends clash against the suddenly human (and keeper-less) Sounders.

It became quite apparent last Saturday that the Chivas are still looking for their ideal finisher. While having no trouble moving the ball up the field, far too many plays died in the final third. A fact made all the more distressing by the fact that the Galaxy’s defense appeared to be transplanted from the nearby Carson Jr. High School.

Eduardo Lillingston is a hell of an athlete, and will be in contention for Rookie of the Year honors, but he is no target man. And in my opinion, this is the last piece of the puzzle needed to turn Chivas into a championship side.

Absences for this weekends clash:

Chivas will be without forward Ante Razov (ankle surgery), midfielder Sasha Victorine (knee surgery) and defenders Ante Jazic (concussion), Claudio Suarez (calf strain) and Lawson Vaughn (ankle surgery) for a fifth consecutive game.

Perhaps Civas’ most conspicuous loss will be Paulo Nagamura, who’s serving a one-game suspension after being issued a red card on Saturday.