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Game Preview: Chivas USA Look to Close out Homestand with a Win

August 24, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


Chivas USA come into Sunday's match against Eastern Conference foe the New York Red Bulls looking to get back into the win column and close out a three-game homestand in solid fashion. The inter-conference match will be the only time the clubs square off during the 2013 season and the Rojiblancos will look to add to their slight advantage in all-time meetings.

The series began in 2005 during Chivas' inaugural season in Major League Soccer and in 15 previous meetings, the Goats hold a 5-4-6 advantage, having never lost at home to the Red Bulls in six contests. The sides played to a 1-1 draw the last time they met at Red Bull Arena. The Red-and-White took a one-nil lead early in the second half on a Juan Pablo Angel score, but the home side equalized shortly after on Kenny Cooper's tally.

The Rojiblancos will enter Sunday's Week 26 match short-handed for the second consecutive match, as forward Tristan Bowen and midfielder Gabriel Farfan remain ineligible for selection as they sit out the second match of a two-game suspension. The Red-and-White duo were each sent off in the Aug. 11 match against the Colorado Rapids and the MLS Disciplinary Committee handed them an additional game suspension upon review of their actions.

The absence of the attacking duo opened up an opportunity for recently-signed Bryan de la Fuente to step in and contribute in Chivas' last match against FC Dallas. The former Homegrown player was re-signed on Tuesday and was immediately slotted into Head Coach Jose Luis Real's starting 11. The midfielder not only went the full 90 minutes but also knocked in his first career goal which momentarily gave the Goats the lead heading into the second half in a losing effort.

New York enter the match tied for the most points in the East with 39 and a record of 11-8-6 and are unbeaten in four of the last five games. With a conference-high 36 goals tallied, the Red Bulls will surely test a Red-and-White defense lead by goalkeeper and captain Dan Kennedy. The net minder sits atop of the League with his 84 saves and will likely rely on center back Carlos Bocanegra and the rest of the backline to come away with a result.

On the other hand, New York have also conceded 31 goals, which could open up chances for the Rojiblancos' offensive weapons such as forwards Erick Torres, and De la Fuente and midfielder Eric Avila. Despite coming off Wednesday's loss to FCD, the Goats are unbeaten in three of their last five home contests since Real's arrival in June.

On Sunday the Red-and-White will look to earn points against the Red Bulls in a match set to kick off at 2:00 p.m. (PT). The game can be followed live in Spanish on W 690 AM Radio.

Real: Do things right and win

This Sunday, Chivas USA will close a three-game home series hosting the second-best team in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, the New York Red Bulls at the StubHub Center. In this match, Chivas USA will look to regain their positive streak and recover from the last match against FC Dallas.

Chivas USA Head Coach Jose Luis Real and the rest of the group have had only three work days to prep up and correct the needed details. But for the Red-and-White Coach, the promptness of the next match comes to an advantage to the group, allowing them to comeback faster.

"That for us comes as good luck, having the opportunity to come back just a few days later of being so close to earning something that we've been working to earn on a permanent level and that we let go in the last minutes," Guero Real told cdchivasusa.com. "I think it's a great opportunity, having just a few days, to come back and do something important for the team and the fans."

Without a doubt, the match against the Red Bulls will be tough since the New York team counts on soccer starts such as forwards Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill with seven and six goals respectively in the 2013 campaign. For Coach Real, the numbers aren't a big deal as he trusts that the group will give their all in order to earn a positive result.

"First and foremost, to do the best on our end," Real commented. "We know that the teams that we've faced are teams with a lot of quality, with players of good quality, very well coached, but we have to think about doing what we have to do right without recognizing the quality of [Thierry] Henry, but first, we have to do our thing, do our best and we're going to try to win our game."

In their last game in the month of August, Chivas USA will have to earn three points that will not only help the team in terms of confidence, but at the same time, give their fans what they have been waiting for.

"It'll be great because first of all, we're at home. We already let one opportunity pass, which was painful because we had it in our hands. Now, without forgetting to acknowledge that our rival is strong, very hard to face, our thoughts are on winning the game, do things right and win," the Chivas USA Head Coach concluded.

"Cubo" Torres excited to join "Practice in the Community"

In the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 28, the entire Chivas USA team will travel to Bell Gardens Sports Complex to host a special practice to which all Red-and-White fans are invited.

As part of their commitment to the community that has seen the players visiting different social events throughout the year, the club decided it was now time to re-group and get the entire team together in a community outing.

READ: Chivas USA to host "˜Practice in the Community' in Bell Gardens

Erick "El Cubo" Torres, who has recently joined the Californian Goats, is among the players who will be present at the event. Drifting closer and coexisting with the fans is a very important aspect to the young forward, who in an interview with cdchivasusa.com didn't doubt about speaking highly of this opportunity.

"I believe it's very important for us to spend time with our fans and the people who are always cheering for us weekend after weekend," said Torres. "It's very motivating for us. I think being closer to our people, our fans always brings a good vibe. We are delighted to be with them, spend time with them and dedicate them some time as they do the same for us every weekend."

It wasn't long ago when the now 20-year-old player used to admire and ask for autographs to players he dreamed of becoming. Today, Torres knows his responsibility of setting a good example and being the reason behind the smiles of lots of kids. At the same time, he also continues to dream of, motivate himself and visualize how to get to the top in his career.

"I think it's the biggest reward a professional player can have. I always envisioned it as I was a kid, and now that I'm living it. When a little kid or a person comes asking for a photo, I think it's the best thing that can happen to me as a player. Being able to take a picture, put a smile on a boy's face, is the best thing that we have," concluded Torres.

Despite the fact that training will not start until 6:30 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, fans will be able to participate in a youth clinic run by Chivas USA Youth Development Coaches starting at 5:00 p.m. (PT). Additionally, they will be able to enjoy all the activation the club's sponsors will have in place. For more information on the event, visit www.cdchivasusa.com.

Chivas USA finalize details ahead of NYRB

At 9:45 a.m. (PT) on Saturday, Chivas USA got ready to start their last training session ahead of their match against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, Aug. 25 at the StubHub Center. Set to kick off at 2:00 p.m. (PT) on Sunday, the match can be heard live in Spanish on W 690 AM Radio or watched on UniMas.

The morning began with a light jog around SHC's Field 6 before the group moved on to work on warm-up exercises involving aerobic moves with the ball. Once the team completed additional stretching, they were set for the tactical work ahead of them.

Led by Head Coach Jose Luis Real and his assistants, the team split up by position, as the pitch was already sectioned in three areas: the defense, the midfield, and the attack. Maintaining ball distribution as the main objective of the activity, the players worked on passing the ball and the individual positioning within each play.

After 45 minutes, the group moved on to work on set pieces defensively, as well as attacking from corner kicks and outside the box.

The session ended with stretching exercises while some players shot at goal from the penalty spot and other areas within the box.

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