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Chicago Fire's Cuauhtemoc Blanco directing traffic on the field | Photo by AP
The Chicago Fire arrived at LAX earlier this week ahead of their Thursday night match against Chivas USA and were greeted by several Mexican soccer fans hoping to get an autograph or picture of long time Club America icon and Fire standout Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
Blanco is making what will likely be his only and final visit to L.A. as a member of the Fire this year, having stated earlier in the year that he would not be rejoining the team next year. His career with the Mexican National Team seems to have been given a second chance by new Head Coach Javier Aguirre and after Thursday's match, Blanco will join his compatriots as they prepare for their World Cup Qualifying match against El Salvador on June 6th. If he is called into action again for the October qualifying round, he is likely to miss the Fire's next scheduled visit, virtually eliminating all possibilities that L.A. soccer fans may once again see him in a Chicago kit at the Home Depot Center.
In many ways, the stage could have not have been set any better for what is likely to be his final L.A. appearance. Mexican soccer fans remember Blanco's many years with Club America with great fondness. He is a symbol of Club America, who coincidentally, are long time and bitter rivals of Chivas de Guadalajara -- Chivas USA's big brother. In some ways, Thursday's match is a scaled down version of the America - Chivas derby that brings Mexico to a standstill each year. Lest we forget that Blanco tends to be one of those types of players that fans either love or love to hate. Those factors combined add a lot of energy and buzz to the match in their own right.
However, there is more to this match beyond old rivalries and personalities. Chicago's 4 - 0 - 6 record gives them the unique status as the only MLS side to not have suffered a loss. Their record is second best only to the impressive 7 - 1 - 3 league leading record that Chivas USA has earned. The Fire is a mere 6 points behind the league leaders and a victory on Thursday would narrow the gap further. Depending on how the rest of this weekend's games play out, Chivas USA may have some company at the top of standings come Monday morning.
Working in favor of Chivas USA is their undefeated status at home. The Home Depot Center has been a difficult place for visitors this year and should be no different for Chicago tomorrow night. But Chivas USA must be careful. Chicago has been gaining momentum over the last couple of weeks while Chivas USA has shown some weaknesses on the defensive side in their last two matches which have resulted in the club giving up a couple of points. Blanco is a crafty playmaker and one that can easily find and exploit such weaknesses.
The red-and-white defense will need to be sharp and alert or they might be in for a long night. Fortunately for Chivas USA, their injury list has been pared down a bit in recent days, including the re-activation of veteran Mexican defender Claudio El Emperador Suarez, which should give head coach Preki Radosavljevic a deeper bench to work with.
Expect a great game tonight with a lot of fireworks. If you can't be there, tune in!
Game Details
Chivas USA vs. Chicago Fire
When: Thursday, May 28th
Where: Home Depot Center, Carson
Time: 7:30 PM
TV: ESPN Deportes, ESPN2
Radio: XEWW, 690 AM
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