MLS 2008 Preview: Chivas USA

By: Daryl | March 24th, 2008

Brad Guzan Chivas Preview

The 2008 MLS season is getting closer every day. It kicks off this weekend in fact. And so we continue our team previews, thanks to our excellent MLS Offside bloggers. Today we take a look at Chivas USA, courtesy of Alex from Chivas Offside. Read on, and get to know the Goats…

Nuts and Bolts:

The Chivas USA put together a promising team together in their third year in existence. Preki built on what Bob Bradley put together by adding key pieces such as Shavar Thomas and fine tuning the cogs like Jonathan Cunliffe. However, the teams youth was exploited when the team lost it’s strike force at the end of the season, eliminating the chance of moving forward in the post season.

This year, Preki is determined not to let that happen again. The ex MLS star has kept the entire starting line up, trading away no one. Again, he added necessary parts, a little depth in the form of Alecko Eskandarian, Atiba Harris, Jim Curtain, and Raphael Wicky. The team now boast four quality strikers. All four started for their respective clubs last year. Any one of these players can step on to the pitch and compete. Completing a well balanced midfield, a Swiss international and a dead ball specialist was added for depth and security. Add to that a tried and tested MLS defender to an already solid back line. Sounds like a recipe for the MLS Cup. UMMM, delicious.

Another thing Preki did to create a threat was waive a majority of the reserve squad. It was clear to him that the squad needed a supporting cast of capable youngsters with potential. The reserve squad is now hand picked from the Chivas USA youth teams, draft picks and three returning reserve players.

We will see a team competing in several national and international competitions and being put to the test.

The star:

Brad Guzan. Guzan creates the base of the spine for the team. With Brad in goal, the team is confident, and confidence builds from the back. It allows creativity in the midfield and creates midfield threats like Sacha Kljestan and Pancho Mendoza. Having two star strikers never hurts either.

DP or not?

On the pitch…. No. In the stands…. It couldn’t hurt. The team is capable on the field and does not need a overpayed star. Depth builds a team. However, the team does need fans. Attendance has been lacking as of late. The right star from the right team could excite stands and draw a crowd to the HDC and bring some attention to a quality side.

The newcomers:

Raphael Wicky. Wicky is unknown to the MLS. He comes from a different way of life and a different set of skills. He has a technical ability on the ball not seen very often in MLS.

Another key person to watch for is Alecko Eskandarian. Esky will have a break out year. He had some health issues that have slowly been clearing up. With him surrounded by quality players that can distribute he might be unstopable… seriously.

Keep an eye on:

Sacha Kljestan. Sacha is becoming a distribution machine. He always creates options and never takes the selfish route. The work rate and his ability to run off of the ball make him dangerous. Thats right Ice Man, he is dangerous. Look for him to be the league assist leader.

We’ll win the league if…?

We will win the league if the team stays healthy. A few key players are a year older and a few young players are looking overseas. If the team can stay together and focused throughout the season injury free, then the Supporters Shield should come back to the west coast.

We’ll be in trouble if…?

We will be in trouble if fixture congestion gets to us. MLS teams were not built for a heavy season. The 18 man roster can not handle the the loads the new tournaments create. While Preki added depth, is it enough… for any team in MLS.

You might not know…

You may not know that Chivas USA have more nationalities represented than any other MLS team. England, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Romania, Brazil, Cuba, USA, Mexico, and Switzerland are represented by the Red and White. What’s more American than that?

Chivas USA have been working with local youth to find undiscovered talent. The team is invested in the community unlike any other MLS team. From programs like Sueno MLS to “Chivas kicking it in the Park”, this team will be built around local youth in the near future.

You might not know Jonathan Cunliffe. Preki has been working with the youngster placing him in different positions throughout the pitch. He is doing really well and may break the starting line up this season. You may not know him, but you will soon.

We look forward to an excellent year here at the Chivas USA. The club is competing in several international competitions, including the famous Superliga (biggest purse in North America) and the newly formed CONCACAF Champions League. Come over and root for a quality team, and meet some crazy futbol fanatics here at the Chivas USA Offside, and C’MON TO CHIVAS!

For more on Chivsa USA, inlcuding an excellent interview with Alecko Eskandarian, visit Alex at Chivas Offside.