Keyword Search:
text size: A | A | A
Middle-of-the-table Clash As Rapids Host Goats
posted 08/06/09 11:10 pm
ABC 7 News - Middle-of-the-table Clash As Rapids Host Goats
Stay on top of breaking news!
Sign up for ABC 7 News e-mail alerts.
Your Email:  
Follow ABC 7 News on Twitter
Follow ABC 7 News on Facebook
related stories:
(Sports Network) - Chivas USA and the Colorado Rapids meet in a Major League Soccer fixture on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Both Western Conference clubs are struggling in the middle of the table and are desperately searching for the full points this weekend.

Chivas USA (8-6-3) is currently on a four-game losing streak after a 2-0 loss at New England in its last league match on July 19.

"I think the first half was good by a lot of guys," Chivas USA defender Sacha Victorine said after the New England loss. "We were moving the ball, guys were moving off the ball, we were finding gaps and finding space to go at people keeping the ball. When we can do that, we create opportunities and we make it difficult on teams to play. Unfortunately, we are unable to find our way in the second half. They found a goal, and it seems like it's been over the past few weeks now: trying to come back from behind, and it definitely makes it difficult."

The Goats have scored just one goal during their current losing streak.

"We've got to believe in ourselves and hopefully the ball will start bouncing our way," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "Right now it's not bouncing our way. Right now, we don't have enough bodies in the areas where it really hurts to score goals. That's the bottom line, we have to find a way to get the forwards around the goal to be better."

Colorado (7-6-6) has just two wins in his last seven league fixtures, and is coming off a 1-0 loss to Columbus this past weekend.

"At the moment were in a win one, lose one, and it's not a good place to be," Rapids coach Gary Smith said. "I wanted to try to find out of the decent play we had a point somewhere and I think that would have satisfied us, but it's very disappointing to get beat in a game where we had the lion's share of the possession, but goals count."

"It's unfortunate, we didn't convert our chances, but that's the way the game goes if you don't take your chances, you lose," Colorado striker Omar Cummings said. "It's very frustrating because for them, they basically had the free kick and that was it, and for us, not converting our chances and seeing the game go on longer and longer without a goal is very frustrating."

The Rapids will have to find a way to rebound without defender Ugo Ihemelu, who is suspended after earning a red card vs. Columbus. Also, defender Julien Baudet is out, and forward Conor Casey and defender Cory Gibbs are probable, all with injuries.

Chivas USA will be without Paulo Nagamura and Carey Talley because of yellow card accumulation, on top of forwards Justin Braun and Ante Razov, and defenders Claudio Suarez and Lawson Vaughn , and midfielder MF Cesar Zamora, because of injuries. Defender Jim Curtin and goalkeeper Zach Thornton are listed as questionable, while midfielders Kevin Harmse, Marcelo Saragosa and Bojan Stepanovic are probable, all with injuries.



Copyright 2009 The Sports Network
All rights reserved

 Email To Friend  Email This Article  AddThis Feed Button     Add to Mixx!

read more stories in Sports

ABC 7 Talkback - Story Comments
You need to be a registered member of
ABC 7 News to leave comments on news stories.
Not a member yet? Click Here to sign up.
Username or Email Address
Password
Please leave your comments below:
Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other members; have obscene or otherwise objectionable content; have spam, commercial or advertising content or inappropriate links may be removed and may result in the loss of your posting privileges. Please do not post any private information unless you want it to be available publicly. Never assume that you are completely anonymous and cannot be identified by your posts.
More News and Videos


TM & © WJLA/NewsChannel 8, a division of Allbritton Communications Company
Please read our Privacy Policy. By using this site, you accept our Terms of Service.
Children's Television | EEO Reports | DTV Consumer Education Reports
Closed Captioning Contact Information
WJLA adheres to the ICRA RATING SYSTEM
  {ts '2009-10-03 08:29:55'}