By: Mario M. Melara
Carson, CA – Talk about a homecoming party. No it wasn’t for Chivas USA, but for one Kei Kamara and the Kansas City Wizards.
The Sierre Leone international and ex-Cal State Dominguez Hills footballer returned to his hometown and put on a clinic at the expense of an inconsistent Chivas USA squad, who once again failed to pull themselves out of last place in the Western Conference standings with a dismal effort Sunday night in front of partially filled crowd at the Home Depot Center.
Kei Kamara’s unassisted goal in the 70th minute, and an assist on Teal Burnberry’s in the 83rd minute, gave the Wizards a 2-0 victory, putting them only 6 points away from the MLS playoffs. I wish I could say the same for Chivas USA. Tonight’s loss leaves the goats sitting on 25 total points with only 6 games remaining and 11 points behind the Seattle Sounders and the final playoff spot.
Mathematically possible, yes. Achievable, no.[picappgallerysingle id=”9816079″]
I haven’t seen so much anger from Goats fans after tonight’s loss, and many more are demanding head coach Martin Vasquez’s resignation and/or firing after the end of this season. I couldn’t agree more. This team is a complete mess tactically. Coach Vasquez has been trying to implement a possession style of offense all season, but if you don’t have the players, talent, or components to run such an offense, why do it? It be like an NBA team trying to consistently crash the boards without any players taller than 5’4.
Chivas USA has been gifted with two strong forwards up top in Justin Braun and Alan Gordon who can consistently hold the ball and maintain possession. They have looked most dangerous all season when a midfielder springs himself into the attack and plays a 1-2 combo with the forwards. However, this team has been too predictable all season. Chivas USA move the ball around the pitch slowly, play it to the wings, and then launch an aerial ball from the sides. It reminds of Bill Murray and the movie Groundhog Day, the same thing, over, and over, and over again. No creativity and teams just sit back and wait to counter-attack.
Chivas USA have seemed to pack it in for the season. It seems like the front office is already looking to a fresh start in 2011. A new stadium away from the LA Galaxy dominated Home Depot Center, a new rebranding of the franchise, and now it looks like a new head coach.
Chivas USA’s next game is against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Sept 25th at 1PM from PPL Park in Philadelphia.
