Houston host the surviving members of Chivas USA

By: Alex | August 19th, 2008

ChivaGirls ready to suit up against Houston Dynamo if needed!

Chivas USA take on the Dynamo Wednesday night. Well, half of the Chivas USA will take on the Dynamo while the other half remain on the injury list. Lets do the math.

28 Full squad
-11 Injured
-1 International Duty
_____
16

Sixteen players are healthy and available for the matchup. Not even enough to fill the bench.

To be quite blunt, it is amazing that Preki has guided this squad to as many victories as he has. Chivas USA provided an interesting fact today. There has been an average of 4.79 players missing per game due to injury (not counting international absences). Take 5 starting quality players out of any team and have them play this season and see how far they get. Hats off to Preki and the staff.

Speaking of injured, the voice of Chivas USA just got wired shut. Jesse Marsch will be drinking his food for four weeks after the disastrous elbow from Franklin in Superclasico. Bummer. Jesse is an important cog to this team, and keeps the engine running. Get better soon buddy.

On a lighter note, we get to see some Chivas USA action tomorrow night. These two teams are tough to watch together. The match will be very physical. When these two get together, emotions run high. Hopefully no one else gets injured.

Injury list is looking worse and better at the same time. More numbers, but more players are getting better. Marsch is out for sure. Along with him, Justin Braun (right ankle sprain from Kansas City), Lawson Vaughn (right knee sprain), Raphaël Wicky (ankle surgery), and Alex Zotinca (ACL from preseason) are officially out. Maykel Galindo’s status was lowered to questionable. However several guys are listed as probable, including Ante Razov (left knee), Alecko Eskandarian (hernia surgery), Jonathan Bornstein (right hip), Claudio Suarez (concussion from Kansas City), and Jorge Flores (right ankle)

So let take a look at a potential line up.
—————Nurse—————
—————Harris—————

Mendoza-Nagamura-Paladini-Talley

- Bornstein-Thomas-Curtin-Burling

————Thornton————–

Bench: Galindo, Razov, Esky, Suarez, Flores and Kennedy

Tough call. Again I would like to see Mendoza in the midfield. Since he left, very few attacks have come from the left side. Hopefully Johnny B could play for a 50 or 60 minute period. Then a sub of one of the other probable’s (Flores) in the midfield and Mendoza could fill in for the final 30. I would like to see Esky play for a 30 or so. Let Razov rest and see some time against San Jose. Nurse has been looking like a threat and I like what he brings to the squad.

Like I said. No injuries and I will consider it a win. A win would be great, a draw not that bad, but the team needs points. Go Chivas!