3rd Degree

April 18th, 2008 . By: Jason Benfield

CHIVAS USA FORMATION

Chivas typically play a 4-4-2. In the past, the defense tended to hold a deep line because of slower central players, but they seem to be pressing up a bit more this season. Additionally, the outside defenders are encouraged to join the attack, and the combination of the two tactics has left Chivas vulnerable to the counter. When the outside back moves forward, one of the center backs slides over to cover, giving the backline a three man shape and forcing it to rely on tight man marking at the midfield stripe. This allows the opposition to expose a lack of speed at the back. It also exposes any players who are inexperienced on the backline, because if a player is beaten in a 1v1 situation, there is no cover.

In the midfield, both central players hold back defensively for the most part, while the outside mids press forward. The players on the outside are encouraged to come into the center of the field in the attack, so when Chivas goes forward, the attack tends to come through those players both on the outside and in the middle. Chivas are at their best when they attack on the counter while compressing the field at the back and forcing the other team to break them down through a short passing game.

In their last match, Chivas started the game in a 4-5-1, but this was an aboration due to a lack of available forwards. The formation did not execute very well and Chivas was stagnant offensively. They are not expected to play with that look this weekend.

CHIVAS USA ROSTER

Just a reminder of the rating system:

1 = Developmental player
2 = Solid bench player
3 = Below average starter in MLS
4 = Above average starter in MLS
5 = All-star caliber player in MLS
6 = Superstar

Bornstein - 4 - I had the left back rated as a 5 to start the season, but he has been decidedly average this year. Although I stated in the opener that he has never been as reckless as Burciaga, his play this season has done a lot to force me to reassess that statement. Bornstein is getting caught forward quite often, and it is really hurting the defensive shape of the team as well as exposing the inexperience forced into action on the other side of the defensive backline. Is typically an All-star and a reserve US International. Good speed, athletic. Normally is a good fit for the Chivas system, but has needed to tone his game down a bit with the injuries and has not been able to do so.

Braun - 2 - Forward made his debut against Dallas, and looked good during that match. Played against Columbus last weekend and did nothing. Good size, could develop into a target, but that role doesn’t really fit the Chivas system. Doesn’t have great skill on the ball, but strikes a nice shot from distance. Lacks speed. Preki must see something, because he was kept on the team at the expense of Cunliffe (trade) and Merlin (released). Is probably the first forward off the bench this weekend because of injuries.

Curtin - 3 - Former Fire central defender. Good size, and shows composure under pressure. Can be exposed for lack of speed and athleticism. These qualities limit him to being a 3, but is a nice player to have coming off the bench as depth, which is the case with Chivas.  Chivas normally play with the central players deep, which would cover for his liabilities in the pace department, but playing the line high has exposed him. When Bornstein goes forward, has been forced to slide left to cover, and doesn’t have the agility to be successful on the outside. Is also getting caught 1 v 1, and is not a great defender against a player with the ball at his feet. Will probably start again this weekend because Suarez is not fit yet.

Ebert - 1 - Right defender has come on in the second have of the past two games due to the lack of options at right back and has not played well. Is inexperienced and shows a lack of speed. His positioning is very poor off the ball, and he does not judge the ball well on tackles or in the air. Played for part of the second half last weekend and was absolutely torched by Rogers for two goals, and on one misjudged a ball in the air badly. Is not ready to play at the MLS level and is a fish out of water on the field.

Eskandarian - 3 - Former DC, Toronto, and RSL striker. Was at one point considered an up and coming talent for both the league and the US national team. Always has lacked speed and athleticism. Not a good passer, and does not combine with players very well. Very good striker of the ball, and takes free kicks well. Made his name with a tremendous work rate, and was very brave around the goal, which allowed him to find himself in the right place at the right time for goals. Once the concussion issues went, so did the intangibles, and the weaknesses of his game have become more prominent. At this point in his career he is best used off the bench, but he could become a solid MLS starter again. Has looked a little better this season in limited time; seems to have some of his work rate back. Will miss the FCD game with a hernia.

Galindo - 4 - Cuban forward with great speed was very good last season. On the verge of becoming a solid all-star forward. Benefits a lot from the intelligent work of Razov off the ball; was not nearly as effective when Razov was not in the game. Best attribute is speed, but also does well finishing his chances. Good first touch, but not a great passer. If passing develops, will take his game to another level. Really has looked strong in his appearances this season, and may be taking that step up. Still not fully fit, but will be pressed into action against FCD because of a lack of options.

Guzan - 6 - US International Keeper was very good last season and would be in the EPL if he wasn’t denied a work permit. Is the most athletic keeper in the league and has great size and instincts. Does well with a slow central defense in front of him and the numbers that Chivas likes to put into the attack. Has become more vocal and better at organizing the defense on set pieces. Best keeper in MLS, despite giving up 4 goals (one poor) last week against Columbus.

Harris - 2 - Has all the physical tools to play forward, but lacks a strong finishing shot and loses composure in front of goal. Very similar to Albright at this stage in his career. Has continued to be very, very poor in front of the net this season. Does not pass well and does not have good vision. In the preseason, Chivas was trying him at right midfield as cover for when Kljestan is lost to US Olympic and full national team duty, but has been put back up top because of injuries. Has not established himself as a starter in the league, but the athleticism is certainly there to allow for progression to the next level eventually. Does not look like he will take that step this season. Should start against Dallas on Sunday because of all the injuries.

Kennedy - 3 - Backup goalie trained with Dallas during the preseason. Lacks prototypical size at the position, but is a great organizer and is a good distributor. Did not have the physical upside of Lambo or Burse, so was not retained by FCD, but certainly played as well as those two in the scrimmages. Organizational skills make him a very good backup keeper in the league, because will be effective in spot starts through leadership. Provides solid cover in the case that Guzan leaves for England in midseason.

Kljestan - 4 - Starting right midfielder is now a fixture on the US Olympic Team and is in the mix for the full national team. Played in the center of the park as a youth, but is a better fit in the Chivas system on the outside. Has steadily improved every year in the league, and has taken another step up this season. Lacks the pace you might want in a true winger, but size allows him to be patient on the ball, has great vision, and is a very good passer. His finishing skills took a step up last season and took an absolutely wonderful goal last week. Has become more consistently involved over the course of the game, as time with both national teams over the off season look to have matured hiim a bit. Is playing at an all-star level so far this season, and with a few more performances will move up to a solid 5. Was unlucky to receive a red last week, and will miss the Dallas game.

Marsh - 4 - Starter at one holding midfield spot, has restarted his career with Chivas. Was always an adequate defensive midfielder, but has improved with age as his experience and leadership allow him to organize both the midfield and the defense and keep the lines tight. Very solid in the short passing game. Not a lot of athleticism or speed, but reads the game extremely well. Had a nice goal last week, and playing well to start the season.

Mendoza - 4 - Starting left midfielder. Short and limited physically, but very quick and wonderful on the ball. Still very young and expect to progress this season to a solid 4. In the past has faded in and out of games, but has shown the ability to dominate the wing at times. Should become more consistent with experience. Tends to play very well at the start of the season and then get beaten up and slowed down as the season wears on. Was frustrated last weekend and persistently fouled his way into getting sent off. Will be a big absence this weekend because Chivas do not have a true reserve mid on the left side.

Nagamura - 3 - Defensive midfielder bounced around from LA to Toronto before finding a home with Chivas last year. Is not asked to do much other than be positionally sound and make simple passes to the outside, both of which he is good at. The physical limitations in his game are covered by the system that he works in. Showed last season that he can be a solid starter in the league. Has done well to start the season. Will not be first choice this season, but will play on Sunday again because Wicky will not be available.

Pozniak - 2 - Right midfielder was acquired for Cunliffe from San Jose. Can play centrally and also at right midfield. Played sporadically for Toronto last season. Is a solid passer, but does not possess top level speed and does not beat players on the ball. Is more of a defensive player in the midfield, and has been forced to play out of position at right back for Chivas. Has not looked comfortable at all at right back and was beaten several times against Columbus. Only reason he is playing there is because all other options are either injured (Vaughn, Zotinca) or horrible (Ebert). Vaughn is expected to come back, which would allow Pozniak to move up and play right midfield in place of Kljiestan. Because of his limited attacking abilities, does not really fit the typical profile of a Chivas outside midfielder.

Razov - 5 - Former US International Forward has raised his game to new heights. Had a great season last year and was Chivas’ MVP and a candidate for the league award. He has always been streaky as a finisher. In his younger days, he was also a horrible passer with very little vision. This made him a fixture in any lineup when he was on his game, but absolutely useless when he was off. Now, however, he has developed into a good passer with good vision. This has taken his game to a new level, and last season he had a strong impact on every game he played in. Age has made him injury prone, but has not limited his effectiveness otherwise because he never relied on speed. Also works very hard away from the ball, which is another change from his earlier days. Is not a superstar, but is playing at an all-star level. Picked up an injury in the Dallas game, and has not played since. Not expected to start on Sunday.

Savage - 1 - Rookie outside midfielder started last weekend and had zero impact. Has not shown much and is afraid to get involved. The Chivas system requires outside mids to pinch in at times and be aggressive going forward; he has shown neither tendency and has not found his place on the field. Does not look to be ready to play at this level, and is only being used through a lack of depth on the team. Normally plays right mid, but may be used on the left this weekend to cover for Mendoza.

Suarez - 4 - Mexican Central defender continues to defy his age. He was supposed to be too old when he entered the league, and many people were skeptical that he could handle the physical play of the league. Has been outstanding since his arrival. Organizes the back quite well. Is good in the air. Lacks pace, but makes up for it through the system that is played as well as superb positioning. Has retained the athleticism to be a strong tackler and good on set pieces. At some point will lose another step and become less effective, but right now is still a solid starter in the league. Missed the first two games because of the death of his father, then broke his nose in practice upon returning and missed last week as well. Is not quite fit and may be held out of the game this weekend as well.

Thomas - 4 - Jamaican central defender was the missing piece that brought the defense to another level last season. Is a very physical player who takes pressure of Suarez and allows the Mexican to read the game. Has enough speed to cover for Suarez mistakes. Passing abilities have improved and is very strong in the air. More important to the Chivas defense than Suarez. Passing and positioning need to improve a little bit more in order to be considered for the next level. Has not looked like he is taking the next step in the early part of this season, but a lot of this is due to poor performances on the outside. Has not stepped up to fill the leadership void left by Suarez’ absence.

Vaughn - 3 - Will be the starter at right back after Zotinca’s injuries. Has been a starter when healthy in his young career and has made an impact when on the field. Should continue to improve, but not sure if he has fully recovered from ankle surgery in the off season; his hamstring injury suffered early on may be indicative that he is still favoring the ankle. Relies on speed and athleticism, perhaps a bit too much. Still getting used to defensive responsibilities. Does well joining the attack. Has not had the same level of impact as Bornstein, but has the same potential. Zotinca’s injury opens the door to taking the next step in his development, but has not been able to stay on the field this year. Expected back for the Dallas game, but it will be interesting to see if he is ready, or just being used out of desperation.

Wicky - 4 - Swiss international will take Nagamura’s spot once fit, but was a little out of shape, and now has had back spasms. A strong organizer, will fit in well next to Marsh in the midfield. Has a great pedigree and should be an all-star. Was absolutely fantastic in the time he saw against Dallas in the opener - in the right place at the right time, great passing, picked times to go forward, great away from the ball. Showed potential to have intangibles of a Ricchetti, but with more work rate and ball skill. Looked like a classy player. Expected to be available off the bench against Dallas as the elevated play of Nagamura allows Preki to be patient and get him fully fit.

Zotinca - 3 - Is a solid, but unspectacular right back and right midfielder. Lacks top level speed and positioning to be a high level outside back, and lacks crossing ability to be a top tier midfielder. Is a solid overall player. Out of the season with a knee injury, otherwise would be competing for the right back spot.

Burling, Chiles, Flores, Hamilton, Mayen, Paladini, and Parker are all developmental players I have never seen and as such I have no report to give.

EXPECTED CHIVAS LINEUP

EXPECTED DALLAS LINEUP

KEY TO THE GAME

Chivas really struggled defensively in the last game against Columbus, as their liabilities were exposed a bit. The Dallas attack has been brilliant on the counter this season, and that type of play has been very successful against Chivas so far. But for me, the key will be on the wings. Normally, the outside mids for Chivas press up into the attack, but the players available on Sunday do not fit that typical mode. If the Dallas outside mids, Dax and Wagner, can press forward, the inexperienced Chivas players could get put back on their heels; this will allow Dallas to dictate the flow of the game. Dallas needs to take advantage of the missing starters on the wing by stepping out of their traditional defensive mentality on the outside, press forward, and take an aggressive mindset against a team that limps into Sunday’s match.
 

Categories: Match Preview .

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