Chivas USA – FC Dallas Pregame

By: Alex | March 27th, 2008

Well, it is time again. First game of the season. Every Thursday the Chivas USA Offside will have a pregame match up. Look for it – add it to your Google reader, bookmark the page or just stop by. Be sure to add your comments, predicted line ups or anything else. That’s what we are here for.

Let’s begin with the starting 11. Here’s my guess. I am going to stress guess. This year’s line up will be tougher to predict with the recent amount of talent added to the squad.

———Razov——Harris————

–Mendoza-Marsch-Nagamura-Klejstan–

—Bornstien-Suarez-Thomas-Vaughn—

————–Guzan——————-

Bench: Eskandarian, Galindo (should see time), Wicky, Curtain, and Parker

This is really a crap shoot. Any one of the four strikers can start, it just seems that Ante and Atiba received more playing time as of late. As far as the midfield, both Jesse and Nags look really sharp and vocal. I would love to see Wicky, so I’m not sure who Preki will choose. Curtain could sub for Suarez (I expect to see Suarez play a lot, but get subbed a lot).

The opponent: FC Dallas

Dallas has been struck with recent injuries and lingering red cards. Reportedly out of the match are Alvarez and Moor. Some possible outs are Davino (deep bone bruise to the right knee), David Wagenfuhr (recent concussion), and Ricardinho (right ankle sprain).

Dallas is looking to employ a 3-5-2. The Chivas USA midfield will have to work twice as hard to keep possession, but the forward combination of Ante and Harris should be able to create opportunities. Sacha will have a tough time feeding Ante the ball. However, if Davino is not able to anchor the back line, Chivas USA should be fine.

Key match ups:

Kenny Cooper – Claudio Suarez: Cooper will be looking to make up for lost time. He was a stand out in 2006, but spent most of 2007 injured. The strong striker will be looking to out muscle Claudio. Claudio’s intelligence and positioning will be a requirement.

Dax McCarty – Sacha Kljestan: The two U-23 teammates will now face each other in the game of distribution. Both players are known for their superior passing. Who will control the midfield?

Prediction - 3-1 to Chivas USA.

The missing pieces on the Dallas line up will bite them. The congested midfield of Dallas may not be enough to stop Preki’s squad from creating chances. Once the midfield is penetrated, it should be all Chivas USA. Ante plays smart and Atiba positions well, and I expect to see these two match up well together this season.