Chivas USA’s slow start

By: Alex | April 22nd, 2008

FC Dallas defeated the Red and White on Sunday.

Injuries exposed Chivas USA and contributed to the club’s loss. Most notable of the losses was Sacha Kljestan. The team’s playmaker served a suspension for a foul committed against the Crew last week. His absence left a hole that wasn’t filled. Pancho Mendoza was also suspended after receiving two yellows against the Crew. His speed and work ethic are tough to match. Other noticeable absences include Raphael Wicky, Alex Zotinca and Alecko Eskandarian.

Some notable inclusions on the pitch were Justin Braun, Claudio Suarez and Lawson Vaughn.

Claudio Suarez debuted for the first time this season. His presence was sorely missed. While the Captain was a bit rusty playing his first significant game of the season, his positioning and knowledge helped to solidify the defense. Claudio Suarez has a unique understanding with Shavar Thomas and Brad Guzan. He has a way to go, but his inclusion was a great help.

Lawson Vaughn is important to the squad. The defender was forced to play in the middle of the park due to suspensions. His offensive duties were lacking, and could not match those of the missing Sacha Kljestan, but his defensive presence was notable. His health means he can fall back to the right back spot and allow Chris Pozniac to move around the park, making the squad that much deeper.

Justin Braun was included in Sunday’s line up. Braun, a newcomer to Chivas USA, played an admirable game. The rookie stepped on to the pitch and displayed skill, strength and knowledge. He is raw, but could make a name for himself shortly in the MLS.

The team exposed some holes, and learned a lot about themselves. For Suarez’s first performance of the year, the defense looked decent. Jonathan Bornstein looked fast, and seems to be gaining his speed back. Chris Pozniak is proving to be a great trade. Hopefully the defense will have consistent starters from here on and be able to build on Sundays performance.

Jesse Marsch and Paulo Nagamura did well. They worked really hard, trying to make up for the missing pieces. In the end, it was those missing pieces that created the lack of intelligent attacking play. The midfield lost the ball …. a lot. Lawson Vaughn gave the ball away too many times. Atiba Harris couldn’t get the ball to the strikers. Chiles had some good spurts, but was non-existent most of the match. In the end, the midfield lacked cohesion.

The strikers did OK, they just couldn’t get service. Most looks at goal, they created themselves. Galindo is still lacking a little in the speed department and a little in the touch department, but he is getting there. Ante Razov had trouble getting into the game. It took him about 15 minutes to acclimatize, but at the end he started to work some magic, just not enough.

It was a tough loss, no doubt. If the team didn’t concede the early goal, a draw or a win could have been in the cards. However, Dallas made them push for it and in the end it resulted in the second goal.