Playoff Battles Heat Up
Chivas USA forward Justin Braun is back in the fold and ready to face Seattle again. Photo by Miranda/Getty Images.
Goals by Maicon Santos and Sacha Kljestan powered Chivas USA to a victory over New England last Sunday and helped the red-and-whites stake a claim for a playoff spot. The victory puts Chivas USA within 4 points of first place in the Western Conference standings and turns the heat up on its rivals, including the Galaxy, Seattle and Colorado.
Chivas USA, however, has very little elbow room of its own and cannot let its guard down. Three teams, including New England, remain within striking distance of the red-and-whites. Conversely, Chivas USA is 2 or less points behind three other teams as well. Needless to say, the playoff race is very tight and while the team currently occupies one of the final playoff spots, they must win tonight in order to better their standing.
Tonight's match will pit them against Seattle, a team that is in a very similar spot and also needs to win. Coincidentally, they are also one of the teams that Chivas USA trails by 2 or less points. For soccer fans, it is hard to ask for a better scenario than that for a match this late in the season and it doesn't stop there.
Last weekend's 6 - 3 thrashing of the Galaxy by FC Dallas put the blue-and-gold in a tighter spot than they would have wanted going into this weekend. Ironically, that result may have resulted in them getting some new fans from the ranks of the Chivas USA crowd. The Galaxy face Toronto FC tonight, one of the teams nipping at the heels of Chivas USA. A victory by the Galaxy would be a good thing for both the blue-and-gold and Chivas USA. Speaking on the odd scenario of having to cheer for their in-stadium rival, Chivas USA forward Eduardo Lillingston states "Of course we are going to support them, even if they are our rival. We prefer that they win. It is convenient for us that they do so and that they get a result that is positive for us."
The real winners today will be all the MLS fans that tune in or head out to the Home Depot Center to catch the action.
Game Details
Chivas USA at Seattle Sounders FC
When: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Time: 12:00 PM
TV: FSC, FSE
Radio: XEWW, 690 AM
Galaxy vs. Toronto FC
When: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Where: Home Depot Center, Carson
Time: 7:30 PM
TV: DK, Match Center, FSW
Radio: KWKW