Where's Sacha?

Chivas USA has the most wins in the league (five), the most points in the league (16), have allowed the fewest points (three, tied with Seattle) and has the best goal differential (plus-seven).

Impressive.

Even more so when you consider that the team's best player, well, supposed best player, has zero goals and zero assists.

I wrote a column on the topic for Goal.com.

Who knows if and when Sacha Kljestan will come out of his funk. He could break out this week at San Jose or he could continue to run around and do nothing offensively.

It's a similar situation to last season when you think about it. Brad Guzan was all set to go to Europe but a deal fell through at the very end. Kljestan spent time in Europe in January but ultimately did not go anywhere, and maybe he's just having a tough time trying to get past that and live up to raised expectations.

Like I wrote in the column, this was supposed to be his breakout year. It's a busy year for the US and Chivas needs to take the next step this year in their own evolution.

So far, Kljestan's been a no-show.

Busy morning

Won't get a chance to do much posting this morning. I'm working on my PE column, writing up a story on Chukwudi Chijindu. You know, I'm so anti-Chivas these days that I figured I'd dedicate my column on some developmental player on Chivas USA.

Chivas USA vs. Seattle Sounders FC - match coverage

Greetings. I'm at Home Depot Center and the Chivas-Seattle game is just kicking off. I'll be on here during the match and afterward. Probably won't do a minute-by-minute recap of the action but I'll chime in accordingly. I've got just the two stories to write and file at the whistle so I won't be as busy as usual, though I could always find things to occupy my time.

Anyway, enjoy the match.

10 - Fredy Montero almost scored an incredible goal. He had a breakaway just now, walked past the Chivas defense and had Zach Thornton charging towards him. But from about 22 yards, Montero tried to chip the 'keeper but pushed his shot just wide of the goal.

32 - Sorry. Got distracted by another story I had to finish for Goal.com. See what I mean about occupying my time? Anyway, Chivas just scored. It was an own goal as James Riley knocked a ball into the back of the net, but Jonathan Bornstein set that goal up perfectly. He used his speed to get past a Seattle defender and put a lot on his centering pass, enough so that Riley's clearance attempt, no matter what he got on it, was going into the goal.

Filling the midfield void

Chivas USA will be without Paulo Nagamura tonight. Nagamura picked up a red card against the Galaxy a week ago and will be absent.

Nagamura will leave a gaping hole in the middle of the field. Nagamura's one of Chivas' best and most important players, both with his ability and leadership. I thought he got a bit carried away last week and that temper got the better of him as he kept yapping at the referee and that probably led to a quick yellow on his first booking. He deservedly picked up the second yellow and is now unavailable tonight.

My best guess in terms of filling the hole is with Sacha Kljestan. With Kljestan in the middle, Atiba Harris could slide to the right side of the field and Alecko Eskandarian could get his first start of the season.

Another option would be to move Mariano Trujillo to the right flank, move Carey Talley to right back and have Jim Curtin start in the middle. Curtin's size could match up well against Nate Jaqua, but Curtin's slow and he'll also have Fredy Montero and Fredde Ljungberg to deal with. Talley's not quite as slow as Curtin and might be able to handle that better.

Kasey Keller won't be in goal for Seattle but if anyone thinks that will make for a simple Chivas victory, they're mistaken. Seattle's got a lot of firepower and will put pressure on Chivas' goal. The difference from last week is that Seattle's got multiple weapons up top. Plus, this unit is still difficult to score on. They've allowed one goal in four games, and that was when they were down a man.

I'm looking forward to seeing Seattle in person but would have liked to have seen Keller and seen a full-strength Seattle squad but we'll just have to wait until June 6 for their return visit, at least to see them once again play Chivas.

Hey you people!

Chivas USA will host Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday for the first time, which means the club will go against some former Galaxy figures, including one player who harbors no positive feelings about Chivas USA.

Actually, against their fans.

Here's what Peter Vagenas told MLSnet.com about the possibility of playing in Saturday's game against Chivas USA.

"They busted my window last year, those people. They followed me home and cracked open my (car) window," Vagenas said, referring to the Chivas USA fans. "After the last SuperClásico. It was on their home field and I took the trophy to celebrate with their fans. ... I didn't know who they were but they followed me home and smashed my window. So I owe 'em one."

Vagenas, who has yet to play for Seattle because of injury, was never one to hide his feelings about Chivas USA and reveled in beating his then-rivals. While he now has an allegiance towards another club, those anti-Chivas feelings apparently have not lessened at all.

I'm just wondering you "those people" are. The Union Ultras? Legion? Maybe the front office or the players themselves? Maybe Preki?

Anyway, Vagenas played some for the Sounders in a scrimmage on Monday, but whether or not he travels to LA for the game remains to be seen.

Clasico aftermath

Saturday's Chivas USA-Galaxy match was a unique game, as all these matchups tend to be. But for some reason it didn't have the emotion, the drama that other matches have featured.

Maybe it's because some of the polarizing figures were absent, save for Landon Donovan of course. No Ante Razov. No Maykel Galindo. No Panchito Mendoza. And we're all still getting used to these new-look Galaxy players as Gregg Berhalter made his MLS debut and was one of six Galaxy players who had never played against Chivas USA before (stat check, Klein, Donovan, Gordon, Franklin have, believe Tudela has but have to go double check, in any case, about half the starting lineup).

Chivas never really looked dangerous after the first opening part of the game and then they went down a man, and the Galaxy never looked dangerous when they had a man advantage for a big chunk of the second half. And then, Chivas didn't look dangerous over the last 10 minutes.

The previous 0-0 draw in the series was a very good game, a game that produced a lot of drama and emotion. This one, meh.

One thing that would make this series even better, though, would be if the teams played only two times each season. Play once in late May/early June and another time in late September/early October. That would be better than three times a season, which is better than four times a season, but still not optimal. But that'll never happen. MLS will find ways to maximize this series rivalry and we'll get a minimum of three Clasicos a year.

I just hope that the next ones feature more drama and intensity (and maybe a few less cards) than Saturday's.

Clasico coaches

After Saturday's 0-0 draw between the Galaxy and Chivas USA, Bruce Arena and Preki each seemed a bit more upbeat than you'd expect. Perhaps because at the point that each team went down a man, the respective coaches were probably praying for or at least would have been content with a draw, which is exactly what they got.

Here's audio of Preki's press conference.

And here's Arena.

Lillingston audio

Some more post-game audio from Sunday.

Eduardo Lillingston apparently speaks English, but he preferred to talk after Sunday's game in Spanish. I had my digital recorder closer to him and further away from the translator but there is some English thrown in there if you need the help.

Anyway, here's Lillingston talking about the game and MLS and telling me he was going to enjoy the win before thinking about the Galaxy.

First wins

I wrote a bit on this in the comments section of my rankings but wanted to expand on the topic.

Chivas USA and the Galaxy will meet for the first time in 2009 on Saturday, and history suggests it won't be a pretty match for Chivas USA.

Overall, the Galaxy have dominated the series against Chivas USA but in particular the first games of each and every season have gone towards the Galaxy's favor. And none of the games were anything but difficult setbacks for Chivas USA.

In brief:

2005: Galaxy scores three early goals, cruise to 3-1 victory over expansion Chivas side.
2006: Cornell Glen scores two late goals, Galaxy steal 2-1 win
2007: Harmse, Donovan score early, Jones scores late in 3-1 win
2008: Gordon, Donovan score twice each in 5-2 Galaxy win
2009: ???

At least Chivas have managed to score goals.

So, even though the Galaxy's defense is bunk and Chivas are 3-0, this game is anything but an easy match to predict. Based on current form, Chivas should win the game, but based on history Chivas have no shot.

Anyway, just a thought to get the week started. I suppose the Galaxy still have something to work out tonight in their US Open Cup play-in match against Colorado before they can focus on their intra-stadium rivals.

Marsch on match, Galaxy

I jumped in a bit late on the Jesse Marsch conversation so that's why it starts kind of mid-sentence.

Also, a bit of a disclaimer: I wore a Mexican club's jersey to the game so that's what he's referring to.

Here's the link to the audio.

Lively Preki presser

I got my digital recorder back and finally have time to post some stuff.

First up is the press conference from Sunday. Preki joined us and talked about the game and some of the performances. The fun started late in the press conference after Preki fielded a question on the Galaxy and whether he watched the game on Saturday or not.

Here's a link to the audio.

Of course, the bad thing was that I had shut off my video camera when all that happened. I shot video of it for Goal.com, so you can watch the first four minutes of the press conference here.

Shake-up in Guadalajara

A lot has been going on down in Guadalajara lately, and it may have an effect on Chivas USA.

- Chivas VP Nestor De La Torre left the club for a role with the national team. Nestor has shown his face here in Carson for some time now, and he's been involved with what little player movement has gone on between the clubs.

- Chivas sacked Efrain Flores. That's no real surprise, just perhaps that it took so long to finally oust him.

- Chivas' Francisco Mendoza was banned for two games after a red card on Saturday. Panchito has barely played for Chivas.

There may or may not be a ripple effect. Flores welcomed Mendoza to the club and the move from north to south was streamlined by De La Torre. If the incoming coach wants no part of Mendoza, which isn't really a stretch, perhaps Mendoza might find his way back to Carson in the summer.

It's also possible that whatever promises De La Torre made in terms of players, perhaps with Jared Borgetti, a rumor that was strong in the preseason, will be followed through by his successor or the Guadalajara front office in general.

It just seems that if there was anyone who had Chivas USA on their mind or in their corner down in Mexico, it was De La Torre. Of course, we've seen plenty of suits during the years here but his has been the only consistent one.

Don't know, maybe it's a stretch to think that some front-office moves in Guadalajara would have an affect on Chivas USA but if nothing else one more semi-familiar face won't be seen 'round these parts any more.

Suarez is back

Claudio Suarez was around Saturday. He talked during a halftime press conference and apologized for what he said.

Here's a story I wrote on the matter.

I'll have more thoughts on this later.

Nags bags two

I actually prefer to call him Paulinho but that only serves to confuse people...

Still, whatever you call him, Paulo Nagamura is suddenly a goal scorer. He scored twice in Chivas USA's 2-1 win over Colorado on Saturday.

How rare are Nagamura goals? In 2005 and 2006, he combined for zero goals. In 2007 and 2008, he combined for four goals. It took him four minutes to match what it had taken him 104 games to accomplish in the first place.

Overall, Chivas USA played well enough to win but still showed there was plenty of room for improvement. The forwards were out of sorts as Eduardo Lillingston and Justin Braun struggled. Maykel Galindo came in and performed, and if he can get fully healthy soon, the club will be much more dangerous because of that.

Zach Thornton was atrocious on the first goal but made some good saves and showed some decent movement. Still, leaving rebounds and misplaying shots like he did on Colorado's goal was horrific.

Anyway, it's a good start for Chivas USA and next week's game in FC Dallas will be yet another challenge as Sacha Kljestan won't be around. For their sake, Galindo needs to get healthy soon.

Wait.... what?

I don't think many expected this.

Claudio Suarez, who said he'd been offended by Chivas USA's offer of "peanuts" when re-negotiating a contract, is suddenly back with the club. Suarez, who said he preferred to play with an amateur team than go back to Chivas USA, is indeed back with Chivas USA. Suarez, who said he was treated like a dog, agreed to terms of after all.

What?

Suarez will be available for interviews in the press box of tonight's game against Colorado at Home Depot Center. I'm guessing, he'll have some 'splainin to do.

Not sure though if the club called and apologized to the player or if the player called and apologized to the club. And really, the club did not look good at all by treating Suarez the way they did. But then again, I don't know that going around and slinging accusations was the best way for Suarez to ride off into the sunset. Apparently, though, that ride will continue at the ripe old age of 40.

Trujillo signs

Chivas USA signed Mariano Trujillo today, on the eve of the regular season. Trujillo spent time with several Mexican clubs including Morelia and Pumas. Trujillo can play on the right side of the midfield and defense and should be a valuable addition to the squad.

If he plays.

Jorge Barrera was also an experienced Mexican league player who was adept at right back or right mid but never saw action for Chivas USA. He also came in while Preki was coach.

Still, Trujillo has been training with Chivas off and on since last season, so Preki must have liked what he saw, enough anyway to offer him a contract and a spot on the team. I'm not sure exactly when Trujillo last player in Mexico. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking it may have been in the Clausura 08 season but I'd have to look that up. I suppose the only concern then would be how quickly he can acclimate himself to first division soccer. For Chivas' depleted side, the hope is sooner rather than later.

Paying the bills

So I'm busy writing several different preview stories for several different outlets, but I wanted to pass along one thought that I'm following.

The local teams here in SoCal are going to struggle to compete this season. I'll give you the full breakdown when the story comes out, but overall I just don't see Chivas recovering from their injuries or the Galaxy having the necessary depth to compete for a full 30 games.

I do like the Galaxy better than some others. Last year's disaster won't be repeated. I think the team can be average, which is better than the slop they put out last season. Tony Sanneh seems like a reach but it's not like we didn't see another 37-year-old defender come in and perform admirably here at HDC before. Claudio Suarez was washed up several seasons before he joined Chivas USA and he did okay for them.

Yeah, I get that Suarez is a legend and Sanneh was a decent to good player at his best but Sanneh is the type of player that will help ease the Galaxy along and gives the youngsters someone to learn from.

Still, you have to factor in how many games Donovan will miss and how many games Beckham will miss and how difficult it will be when Beckham arrives, and all that will test the Galaxy.

Chivas' problems, well, all you need to know is Carey Talley and Jonathan Bornstein have seen time at central defense during the preseason and could actually start there at some point this year. Both players are valuable to the team but NOT at central defense. If they brought in Abel Xavier on trial, you know they are panicking.

And if Alecko Eskandarian, Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo are not healthy in March, what makes you think they will be able to get healthy and stay healthy once the season is in full swing?

Well, I'll develop those thoughts into a column this morning and hopefully will be able to chime in here on stuff throughout the morning. Until then, I have to go find me some coffee. I ran out yesterday and I'm not coping well.

Friendlies that aren't really friendlies

Chivas USA and the Galaxy will wrap up their respective preseasons over the next two days. While these games will mean nothing in terms of the regular season, they could provide a glimpse of what will be for both local sides.

Chivas USA-Houston: Chivas host Houston tonight at HDC. It's actually being played in the main stadium and should have the feel of a real game. Chivas have a ton of question marks heading into the season as things don't look good in Red-and-White land. Injuries have carried over from the end of last year to the start of this season as players such as Ante Razov, Alecko Eskandarian and Bobby Burling are injured, and all were expected to play key roles for the club.

We should see in what direction the club will turn to in terms of a starting lineup, but we could see something like this both tonight and next week against Colorado: Thornton; Talley, Thomas, Curtin, Jazic; Kljestan, Marsch, Nagamura, Bornstein; Braun, Lillingston.

Normally, this would be a match against an MLS Cup contender but without Dwayne De Rosario and to a lesser extent Nate Jaqua, Houston doesn't have the feel of a favorite these days. They are a hard-working team but that doesn't mean they won't be contenders, just that they'll be the hardest-working average team out there.

Galaxy-Chicago: This game should be good. The Galaxy and Chicago play in Tempe, Ariz., on Saturday. Landon Donovan is back and will play with the Galaxy for the first time this year. That shouldn't really matter to him, as he could wait until the season opener against DC United to play and still do fine but his teammates, especially the new guys, will need to have him on the field to learn to play with him.

Chicago is a favorite, a cup contender, anything you've got. Columbus I think took a hit by losing Sigi Schmid and no other team closed the gap between themselves and the Fire. It's a good thing the Galaxy will be tested against one of the best teams MLS has to offer.

Desperate times

You may have seen Abel Xavier's picture right here on this blog on Saturday. Abel was on Chivas USA's bench during a scrimmage against Chicago out at HDC. He was dressed in street clothes but his presence there was strange.

He's been training with Chivas USA all week.

Now, Chivas USA's defense is paper thin. Before the year started, it seemed as if that position would not necessarily an area of concern. Shavar Thomas was a rock and Bobby Burling proved a great find there last year. Jim Curtin may not be a player you want starting 30 games but he can hold his own and has something of value and then there was Claudio Suarez, who apparently wanted to return.

The season is about to start and suddenly central defense looks weak. The club will allow goals by the boatload if they aren't careful. Curtin is seemingly the starter now, by default. Suarez is done. Burling is injured and won't be back for a while. The club has tried Jonathan Bornstein back there in the preseason and right now it appears he might be in the mix to start as well.

Preki could use a backline of Carey Talley, Shavar Thomas, Jonathan Bornstein and Ante Jazic.

Not sure where Xavier would fit in right now, if he's best suited for the right or central defense, but he would offer experience and leadership but not much else.

Now, I don't think this is necessarily a terrible move. I do think Xavier offered a lot of leadership to the Galaxy, and that can't be overlooked. But his skills weren't the best and he was burned a lot, including once by Ante Razov as his potential new teammate danced around Xavier and knocked a shot past Joe Cannon during a game in 2007.

We'll see what comes of this trial. My guess is he'll join out of desperation on Chivas USA's part, desperation to bring in a body who has seen time recently in this league.

Emperor's wrath

Claudio Suarez announced his retirement on the weekend. It wasn't really a surprise to anyone since the 40-year-old defender, uh ... was 40 YEARS OLD. Who relies on 40-year-olds in soccer?

Turns out, though, that Chivas USA and Suarez were still negotiating but the final parting of ways is more like a bitter divorce than a mutually beneficial farewell.

Suarez told La Opinion quite an earful when Suarez made public his intentions of walking off to the sunset.

What he told La Opinion:

Apparently Suarez and the club had been negotiating for the better part of five months, but Suarez called Chivas USA's offers "ridiculous." Although no figure was reported, Suarez apparently felt he was better than the pittance he was offered.

"My economic demands were not grand but they had to respect the fact that I was the image of the club because this club began with the idea of having a roster with a Mexican base and everything has changed. More and more important players are leaving and they are misleading fans with this project.

"I know they have to take care of their money but to be honest they disrespected me with what they offered."

"In fact, my priority was always to stay in the United States for family reasons. Now, this chapter with Chivas USA is closed. I won't re-consider anything. I'd rather play with an amateur club."

Chivas USA, of course, had no comments when approached by La Opinion.

Again, no surprise at all that Suarez is not back and that he has opted for retirement over a return to the playing fields. But it should be sad for the club to have shunned a player this way, a Mexican legend no matter how old he was when he finally retired, a player and above that a person who warrants respect.

Instead, the best Mexican defender of all time wants nothing to do with Chivas USA.

Not the best way to go about business.