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US: MLS Preview- CD Chivas USA v Columbus Crew [Fri Sep 2nd, 2005]
CD Chivas USA (3-17-5, 14 pts) v Columbus Crew (8-12-3, 27 pts)
When: 10:00pm EST, Saturday, September 3rd, 2005
Where: Home Depot Center, Carson, California
Now that New York and Dallas have seen the new and improved Chivas USA, the new-look Goats return to the Home Depot Center for the first time since the addition of Francisco Palencia and Juan Pablo Garcia.
Chivas’s last two matches haven’t been wins, but a three-goal and two-goal draw at the MetroStars and Dallas respectively have to feel pretty close.
While they have little to show for this season, the Goats are making life tougher on every team they play, and making people talk about next season already. Now in their first home match with their new players, a win is definitely in the cards against the inconsistent offense of the Columbus Crew.
While the Crew have been improving with Robert Warzycha at the helm, Warzycha has expressed frustration with the offense. With Kyle Martino suspended this weekend and Edson Buddle still unavailable, it’s certainly not going to be any easier this weekend.
Bruce Arena has released Chad Marshall from national team training, which will give a boost to the defense, but Arena still has Frankie Hejduk, the Crew’s most offensive minded defender, in camp. Defence will have to win this match on Saturday if Columbus expect to leave Carson with any points.
Defensively Chivas are still pretty poor. While they have improved with their new players, they have done a horrendous job of holding on to leads. They blew a 2-goal second-half lead against the Metros, and went ahead twice against Dallas.
If they get a two-goal lead against the Crew they should be in pretty good shape, since Columbus will have few scoring options. The bottom line is, if the Goats offense can produce as it has the last couple of weeks, then they should win.
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