Match 5: @ Chivas USA Preview

Sounders FC head to Southern California this week to take on CD Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

At 3-1-0 (9 points) Seattle visits the Western Conference and MLS leaders Chivas USA (3-0-1, 10 Points).

The Red and Whites have given up two goals this year and have found the back of the net 6 times.

The Goats have gotten two goals in the first four games from Mexican striker Eduardo Lillingston and Head Coach Preki has commented that he wants to try and get the ball to him more to elevate his threat. Injuries to Ante Razov and Mykel Galindo have hindered the side’s offensive prowess, but speedy and agile forward Alecko Eskandarian is set for a full return from his hip strain. He played his first minutes of 2009 in their match last week against the Galaxy.

For the Sounders, the main question will be who will start in goal? Will it be MLS Reserve keeper Ben Dravagon who played the final 61 minutes in the 1-nil loss to Kansas City or #2 netminder Chris Eylander who is returning from a knee sprain?

Regardless, it is still a defense anchored in the center by Tyrone Marshall and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado that has given up 1 goal in 360 minutes of play.

Up front, Seattle features Colombian Freddy Montero (with 3 goals in 3 matches) and Designated Player, Freddie Ljungberg who is returning to full 90 fitness. Throw in 6’4″ Nate Jaqua and the balance of offensive power seemingly tips toward Seattle.

One analyst noted that both teams “have shown they are capable of playing positive possession-oriented soccer, too, stringing a succession of passes together and dictating the ebb and flow of the game to the opposition.”

Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid commented “People who saw our game, especially in the second half against Kansas City, saw we can possess the ball well and we can go forward and create chances and that was with a man down.”

On Chivas USA, he added… “[They're] obviously is a good team. They haven’t lost any games. I know everybody’s talking about they got some guys injured. But those guys have been injured for a while. So they got a team rhythm with the guys that they’re playing right now, and the guys that are on the field. And they still have a good nucleus of veteran players with Carey Talley, and Jesse Marsch, and even though (Paulo) Nagamura got a red card the last game, so he won’t be playing against us. But there’s a good nucleus of players. Sacha Kljestan is a very important player for their team. He’s been healthy all season. They move the ball around fairly well. So they’re a good team.”

Probable Sounders FC Lineup

Jaqua — Montero

Evans — Ljungberg — LeToux

Alonso

Scott — Hurtado — Marshall — Riley

Dragavon/Eylander