Chivas Look to Close out Season with Series Split

Published on October 25, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


After 35 weeks of competition, Chivas USA's season comes to an end at home on Saturday night against conference foe the Portland Timbers. Heading into the third and final leg of the season series, the Red-and-White will look to equalize last season's number of seven wins with a victory while preventing the Timbers from celebrating possibly clinching the Supporters' Shield on their pitch.

Portland enters the match two points behind Real Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls, who each have 56, and in the hunt to secure the coveted trophy. RSL concluded their regular season against Chivas on Wednesday, but the Red Bulls still have one remaining game and could automatically clinch the shield with a win over the Chicago Fire on Sunday. Should New York lose, it could open the door for Portland to step in and claim the shield if they win at the StubHub Center.

The sides last met in Carson in September with the Goats opening the score sheet in the first half on a header by midfielder Bryan de la Fuente. The Timbers responded with the equalizer in the second half and the conference rivals had to settle for a point apiece. The Goats will be looking to not only play spoiler, but to come away with a win to secure a split in the series and remain unbeaten at home all-time against Portland.

Chivas have been solid at home of late, having secured three wins and three draws in their last eight contests as hosts. One of the keys for securing the home result will be containing the play of Portland's attackers such as Ryan Johnson, and Rodney Wallace, in addition to Diego Valeri, who has tallied against the Rojiblancos in their last two meetings. Valeri delivered the equalizer in September and contributed with a goal in the 3-0 shutout at Jeld-Wen Field in May during the first leg.

Portland could be facing the third different goalkeeper against Chivas this season, as the Red-and-White started back-up Patrick McLain in the sides' first meeting in the Northwest while Dan Kennedy sat out due to a red card suspension. In the rematch at the SHC, Kennedy took his customary place between the posts in 1-1 draw, but this time around it could be Tim Melia who replaces the captain, should he need more time to recover from an abdominal injury he is nursing. The keeper situation will be a game-time decision for the Goals. If the former All-Star does not get the call, Melia will be the likely option to step in between the posts for the second consecutive match.

Melia started his first match of the season at RSL on Wednesday, which marked the New York native's third career start. The fourth-year net minder did a solid job filling in for the former All-Star, recording four saves. Regardless of who starts in goal, the Goats will have to possess effectively and prevent Portland's attack from consistently getting into dangerous spots in the attacking third or creating threats with balls over the top.

Saturday's match will mark the eighth all-time meeting in the young series and is scheduled to kick off a 7:30 p.m. (PT). The contest will be televised live in English on KDOC-TV and in Spanish on MundoFox 22. Match action can also be followed in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM.

Chivas USA's First Team might be concluding their Major League Soccer season, but the Red-and-White Youth Development Academy continues to work in their respective leagues. The following is a preview of this weekend's action.

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