CARSON, Calif. - Saturday night was rather unpleasant for Chivas USA.
Rivals L.A. Galaxy jumped out to a 2-0 lead after just 17 minutes and went on to win the first Super Clasico of the season by a 3-1 count.
For every night since then, Chivas USA forward Ante Razov has paid the price.
"To be honest, I haven't had a good night's sleep since the game," Razov said as he left the training field earlier this week. "I'm not happy about it."
Chivas USA returned to training Tuesday with a stark reminder that the season is young and the work ahead challenging. The Red-and-White's immaculate 2007 mark at The Home Depot Center was shattered by an energetic Galaxy squad and now the club must prepare for a week-long trip that will feature games in Washington, D.C. and Columbus, Ohio.
In its biggest game of the young 2007 campaign, Chivas USA came up woefully short. The lingering effects were on players' and coaches' minds as the team showed up to start its workweek on Tuesday.
Chivas USA coach Preki talked about his own role in Saturday's collapse.
"I'm not one that is going to shy away and say 'I'm not going to take any responsibility,'" Preki said. "I told them this morning that maybe I was too generous on some of these guys and giving them a day off here and there and not preparing them."
Still, Preki said before the game that the coaching staff discussed with players collectively and individually the importance of the game. Despite that, Preki said a cavalier-like attitude was present in some of his players.
"You can only prepare them so much," Preki said. "When you step on the field also as a player you have to have some type of responsibility. You have to have a drive. You have to have a will to win, especially in the big games. I think too many of our guys came in too casual to this game."
Expectations must be raised and the bar must always be set on a high level for the club to improve and continue working toward a playoff spot, players and coaches said. A strong attitude and mentality is the foundation of such success and Preki said he expects the players on the field to carry that through.
"I expect 11 guys to be very responsible and very aggressive and play for the colors of the club," Preki said. "I feel in those types of games you shouldn't even need a coach because it's a big game, a bit expectation. If you can't get yourselves motivated to play in those types of games, it's a big question on your character."
Aside from the usual onlookers at Chivas USA training session, co-owner Antonio Cue and Chivas de Guadalajara vice president Nestor De la Torre were present at training. The officials spoke with some players and coaches after most of the team and staff cleared out.
"They're worried about the loss on Saturday and we are as well," Chivas USA captain Claudio Suarez said. "Losing to the Galaxy is not like a regular loss because of the rivalry we have with them."
Still, neither the upcoming weeklong trip nor the upcoming opponents mattered much to players. The work of overcoming a loss and continuing to build remains the same.
"Any time you come off a loss it's difficult," goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "We've had a good day at training (Tuesday). Guys are competitive. They want to win and they want to turn this thing around. That's a good feeling. That's a good sign."
With the D.C. game still three days away, Chivas USA players said they are aware of what awaits.
"Coming off this kind of loss, we're going to be angry. We're going to have to compete for everything so it's probably going to be a pretty hard game," Razov said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
