Chivas USA Look to Even Series against Portland

September 13, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


Chivas USA enter Saturday night's Western Conference clash against the Portland Timbers looking to close out their two-game homestand by winning their third-straight match at the StubHub Center. The Rojiblancos have built a solid run at home as they have taken points in five of their last six games in Carson, including three wins and a pair of ties under Head Coach Jose Luis Real.

During that stretch Red-and-White goalkeeper and captain Dan Kennedy also recorded a pair of shutouts, while striker Erick "Cubo" Torres continued his goal onslaught. The Chivas Guadalajara product has tallied a team-high seven goals in nine matches which have earned the 20-year-old Major League Soccer Latino de la Jornada honors on three occasions. In his first MLS season, the Guadalajara native has recorded back-to-back two-goal performances and delivered the game-winner in three contests at home, which has established him as one of the league's most dangerous and efficient forwards.

Portland enters the match occupying the fifth and final playoff spot in the West with 42 points, and is among four clubs tied with 10 wins apiece. The Goats will look to even the season series with a win, as they fell in the opener at Portland 3-0 in May. The Timbers opened up the scoreboard in the first half on Rodney Wallace's goal in the 33rd minute and pulled away in the second half on scores from Diego Valeri and Will Johnson.

The Timbers will now go up against a vastly different Chivas squad than the one they faced at JELD-WEN Field in Week 11. Since then, Real has stepped in as manager and revamped the defense to a more conventional four-man backline and the club has been bolstered by the additions of Torres and center back Carlos Bocanegra, who has gradually become the anchor of that backline. Moreover, the Goats were without Kennedy in the first meeting due to the keeper's red card suspension the week before, which forced back-up keeper Patrick McLain to make his first MLS start on the road.

Since the start of the all-time series in 2011 during Portland's inaugural season in MLS, the Rojiblancos have taken the only two meetings between the sides in Carson, and have yet to concede a goal to the Timbers. Should Kennedy start in goal as expected for the Red-and-White, he will look to add to his franchise-high four wins (three shutouts) against Portland and will surely add to his club-best 21 saves against the Pacific Northwest side. In addition, the net minder currently leads all MLS keepers with 95.

The match will mark the second of three meetings programmed for this season and will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (PT) and will be televised in English on KDOC and in Spanish on MundoFOX 22. Radio-listeners can also follow the action in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM.

Real: We are indebted to our fans

This Saturday, Chivas USA will once again have the opportunity to continue adding points when they host the Portland Timbers at the StubHub Center. Unlike last weekend's game, Red-and-White Head Coach Jose Luis Real had a full week to work with the team and set the plan that will help challenge the Timbers, a team that is looking to get closer to a playoff berth.

Last Sunday, Chivas USA was able to notch their second consecutive victory at home by defeating D.C. United. The Goats had a tough three games in eight days, and in each one, fought hard to earn the most points possible.

"Without a doubt we've had very good performances, we've been able to earn more points, playing well," Coach Real declared. "But while we don't win, we can't have it all. Having the positive results we've had recently has given us the security to think more positively when we face the rest of the season."

In Saturday's match against the Timbers, Chivas USA will have the opportunity to take revenge from the first match-up of the season, in which the Red-and-White fell 3-0 . The Timbers enter the match with a solid 4-0 victory over Toronto FC, yet the Western Conference rival has not been able to win on the road since the month of June. For the first time this season, Chivas USA will have home-field advantage against Portland, where the group has won two consecutive games.

But just like any rival, Coach Real expects a hard-fought match against Portland, where both teams will be playing as if it were a final.

"In terms of standings, we're going to face teams that are strong so we're aware of the situation," Real said on Saturday's game. "Fortunately, we're going through a very good moment and facing these next games will help us build the morale that the team has been getting."

With only three games left at home, Chivas USA will look to close the season unbeaten at the StubHub Center. But they will look to do that not only for the good of the team and the club, but for those who most deserve it, the fans.

"I think we are indebted to our fans, in terms of points we've let go, for our position in the standings. But people have noticed that there is a clear idea of play, a style and an intention and in that part we're committed to give everything on our behalf to come out with good results for us, for the club and for our fans," Real finalized.

Chivas USA will host the Timbers this Saturday, beginning at 7:30 pm (PT) at the StubHub Center as part of Major League Soccer's Week 29. The match will be televised live in English on KDOC and in Spanish on MundoFOX-22. The match will also be broadcasted in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM. For all the latest news and updates on the club, follow us on Twitter: @cdchivasusa.

Preview: U15s look to revert first score of the season

Soccer action continues this weekend for Chivas USA's U15s who are currently participating in the Coast Soccer League (CSL). In a double-match weekend, the young Red-and-White squad will face Valley United Dema and PCSC B97 Red on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

To kick off the weekend, the U15s will start the long weekend facing Valley United in their second game of the season on Saturday at 9:40 am (PT) at the University of California, Irvine's Field 5. The young Goats enter the match with the determination to revert the final score in their first match, a 4-0 upset to Oxnard Wave Premier last weekend. Meanwhile, Valley United earned a 2-0 win over PCSC B97 Red, starting the season off on the right foot. The following day, the Red-and-White will face PCSC B97, who also gave up a score in their first game of the season.

U15/16 & U17/18 Teams host Xolos

As part of preseason, Chivas USA's U15/16 & U17/18 teams will host the youth squads of Mexican side Xoloitzcuintles de Tijuana this Saturday, Just hours before the First Team kicks off their action. Chivas USA's U15/16 team will face Xolos at 1:30 pm (PT) at the StubHub Center's Field 5. Two hours later, the U17/18 match-up will begin on the same field.

The friendly matches will help both squads as they prepare to begin their respective seasons in the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA). Both teams will kick off the season on the road, facing the youth sides of the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders the weekend of Sept. 21.

For all the latest news on the Youth Development Academy and the club, follow us on Twitter:@ChivasUSAYouth & @cdchivasusa .

Training Report: Putting in the finishing touches

On the eve of their next game, Chivas USA returned to the StubHub Center's Field 6 on Friday morning to comply with the team's fourth and final training session of the week. The Red-and-White will have to be ready to face a Portland Timbers squad who are currently in the fight to earn a playoff berth this Saturday, Sept. 14, at the StubHub Center.

After a brief video analysis session, the group arrived to Field 6 to put the finishing touches on the plans in place for the game against the Timbers. Starting off with the usual light jog, Chivas USA was in a good mood ahead of the day's work. The group then went on to work on a ball possession exercise. The Red-and-White ended their initial work with Strength and Conditioning Coach Armando Camacho with a movement and agility exercise.

Chivas USA continued the day's work alongside the rest of the coaching staff. The Red-and-White focused on improving their defense of set plays and corner kicks, since in the last few games, goals have been conceded as a result of these plays. Listening attentively to the instructions of Assistant Coaches Marco Fabian and Othoniel Gonzalez, the team focused on these exercises for the remainder of the session. Around 11:20 a.m., Head Coach Jose Luis Real finalized the day with a couple of players staying behind to continue work individually.

Chivas USA will host the Timbers this Saturday, beginning at 7:30 pm (PT) at the StubHub Center as part of Major League Soccer's Week 29. The match will be televised live in English on KDOC and in Spanish on MundoFOX-22. The match will also be broadcasted in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM. For all the latest news and updates on the club, follow us on Twitter: @cdchivasusa.



Major League Soccer Stories from September 13, 2013


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