By: Mario Melara
Los Angeles, CA – When your team currently sits in last place of the Western Conference standings with only 18 points, every play and missed scoring opportunity becomes even more intensely magnified. Every coaching decision, substitution, formation alignment, man-marking, and tactical style of play is scrutinized down to its basic core.
After losing to Toronto FC 3-1 this past weekend at BMO Field, it was both disheartening and so frustrating to think of what could have been that I needed a full day to take it all in, and preventing my emotions from getting the best of me and saying something better suited for a conversation at the local pub.[picappgallerysingle id=”9507196″]
Chivas USA had a great opportunity to open up the scoring in the 6th minute when Ante Jazic worked up the left flank and slotted a nice aerial ball to an open Justin Braun in the box. Justin Braun, completely wide open, failed to make good on the pass, and shot a horrible ball straight at Toronto FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
Toronto FC then completely controlled the next 20 minutes of play, and capped it off with two goals, one by Nana Attakora and another by Chad Barrett. Those two goals changed the whole complexion of the match, and Chivas USA would end up chasing the rest of the match.
It is games like these that we will end up looking back on at the end of the season, when a playoff berth was oh so close, and realized that we left quality points on the table. The 2010 MLS season is getting shorter and shorter, and if Chivas USA have any hopes of making the playoffs, the time to a run is definitely now.
The next home game against the Sounder FC is not crucial, but Armageddon like. No points against the Sounders and you can pretty much kiss the season goodbye. Coach Martin Vasquez has tinkered and tweaked the line-up long enough. It is time to pick your final 11 and either win with that squad or not. Chivas USA will host the Sounders FC this Saturday, August 14th, at the HDC.
