Week 1: TFC @ Chivas USA preview

By: Sam | April 6th, 2007

Saturday, 7 April 2007, Home Depot Center, Carson, California.

In a nutshell:
Toronto FC’s first ever match, plain and simple, against a Chivas side with a very decent roster.

Toronto FC’s records:
Last 5 (includes preseason): 4W-1L-0D 11GF-3GA
This season: 0W-0L-0D 0GF-0GA
Against Chivas USA: First meeting

Chivas USA’s records:
Last 5 (includes preseason): 2W-1L-2D 10GF-8GA
Last season: 10W-9L-13D 45GF-42GA
Against Toronto FC: First meeting

Toronto FC’s probable starters:

1 Sutton
27 Gala - 11 Brennan - 3 Braz - 2 Boyens
17 Nagamura
15 Guzman - 33 Robinson - 19 Asante
20 Lombardo - 12 Buddle

Chivas USA’s probable starters:

18 Guzan
23 Zontica - 25 Vaughn - 2 Suarez - 21 Hernandez
16 Kljestan - 15 Marsch - 6 Mendoza
20 Guevara
11 Galindo - 9 Razov

Analysis: The thing is, I got those rosters from the MLS Gamefile, but I don’t know why the hell a few of those names are up there. Where’s Esky? Why is Asante playing on the wing, where Welsh should be? Why isn’t Cancela starting? Why isn’t O’Brien there? Oh I remember, he got hurt trying to kick a teammate.

The good news is, MLS lists Casey and Reda as probable, which means that they’ll definitely be fit for the second match.

But as for this one: What do we have to watch for in Chivas? Well, the love triangle of Guevara, Razov and Galindo can be deadly, and our defense is not world-class, so I’m guessing Nagamura will assume more of a defensive role than originally planned to contain those three. Amidst the rumours that Richard Mulrooney wants out of the team, I don’t know if he’s an option to bring in if the match is turning in the host’s favour. One thing’s for sure, it’ll be filled with goals, especially if Eskandarian plays. I’m oblivious to why he’d be sitting in favour of Lombardo, unless there was an injury (I wouldn’t be surprised if there was) that put him out, which I doubt. Buddle and Esky proved a lethal duo up front in the preseason and especially in the Carolina Challenge Cup, but that burst of lightning was complimented by O’Brien, who’ll be out until May.

Again, MLS isn’t the most dependable information donor, so I don’t know how “probable” their eleven are. Regardless, it’ll be one hell of a game to watch.

My prediction: 2-2, with one from Buddle and one from Robinson.