For Chivas USA, Year Three ended in the same manner as Year Two did.
The club was knocked out of the Western Conference semifinals as the season ended in a painful manner.
But what happened leading up to the playoffs was almost as drastic a change as the club underwent from the first year to the second.
Chivas USA set record highs nearly across the board, notching club records in wins (15), points (53), goals scored (a conference-high 46) and goals allowed (28). Along the way, Chivas USA claimed their first-ever Western Conference crown and finished with the second-most points in all of Major League Soccer.
"We made great strides this year. If we continue to develop like we are, we're going to have a bright future," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "This is a club I feel that every year should compete for trophies and I think we will. It's just a matter of time."
As his predecessor did a year ago, Preki was one of two members of the club to walk away with individual honors. The first-year coach won MLS Coach of the Year honors for guiding Chivas USA to a 15-7-8 record and helping the club overcome several key offseason losses, including Bob Bradley, the 2006 Coach of the Year.
Preki's masterful strokes included bringing in forward Maykel Galindo, who fit Preki's desire for a speedy forward to compliment incumbent Ante Razov. Galindo led the team in goals with 12 and was a revelation with the Red-and-White. The Cuban-born Galindo brought a mix of blazing speed, timely finishing and a deft touch to Chivas USA's frontline.
Razov also flourished alongside Galindo. The 12-year veteran scored 11 goals and added eight assists as the club's forward pairing was one of the league's best.
Part of what helped Chivas USA's forward line succeed was a mix of experience and youthful liveliness, a pattern that replicated itself all across the field.
Sacha Kljestan emerged as a standout midfielder. The second-year man had a team-high 13 assists -- the most in club history -- as he displayed the vision and offensive skills that led Chivas USA to select him fifth overall in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. Kljestan and left winger Francisco Mendoza were backed by veterans Jesse Marsch and one-time MLS Cup champion Paulo Nagamura as the midfield materialized into a team force.
Veteran defender Claudio Suarez enjoyed a fine season and finished as a finalist in MLS Defender of the Year voting while Shavar Thomas had a strong campaign anchoring the back alongside Suarez.
The mix of young and old, talented but unproven and tried-and-true fueled Chivas USA all season long, players said.
"We've got a ton of young guys and a bunch of veterans that really mesh well together," Kljestan said. "Everybody learns from each other and everybody teaches each other. I think the respect that everybody has for each other in this locker room really made us a great team this year."
Players also trumpeted a strong and emerging mentality as another key part of the 2007 campaign. The focus was there from the start but it was not until the latter stages of the season that players understood what it meant to play for each other and to put the team first, players said.
Playing as one cohesive unit was vital, Marsch said.
"I feel like this team still had so much in it; the way we play, the things we try to do, the understanding we had, the group of guys, the commitment we had to each other. In that sense, it was a good team," Marsch said. "This team, in terms of playing for each other, is the best team I've ever played on. Every guy in here gives everything he has. I'm proud of this team."
In the end, though, the season did not end the way players imagined. In the middle of the campaign, Chivas USA began climbing up the Western Conference table. The deeper the club got into the season, the more likely an MLS Cup appearance seemed.
Despite the premature end to their season, winning the West was one of the goals the team accomplished this season.
"That was a goal of ours in the beginning," Guzan said of the regular season conference title. "I think we showed a lot of character, a lot of positives throughout the year. Obviously it's a tough one to swallow to end a successful season on a note like (that)."
Ultimately, Chivas USA could not overcome losing Razov to injury. On Oct. 11, Razov sprained knee ligaments during a 0-0 draw at FC Dallas. Chivas USA tried to fill the void with rookie John Cunliffe and newcomer Laurent Merlin but neither could replace Razov's output or presence on the field.
"I knew that when Ante went down in Dallas that was going to be a real hit for us," Marsch said. "It was a hit for the team. At the same time I felt like the guys who tried to fill in for him did the best they could."
Lack of scoring combined with an opponent focused on defending were enough to send Chivas USA packing in the playoffs. Kansas City beat Chivas USA on a 1-0 aggregate score in the conference semifinals as the Red-and-White's dreams were squelched.
"I think we could have won something," Kljestan said. "I'm very proud of the team and what we accomplished in the regular season but real disappointed and we feel just a bit unlucky with what happened in the postseason."
No matter what happens in the offseason, Kljestan said the club went a long way in 2007 and expects it to continue in 2008.
"It'll still be the same Chivas team next year," he said. "We've got a lot of heart and we've got a lot of soul. When the team plays together, it's a good team."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
