Much of Chivas USA's early-season woes were placed on the lack of continuity found within the club. Injuries and other situations had cost Chivas USA players valuable time.
With young players tossed into the fire, results were hard to come by.
But suddenly, Chivas USA has turned the season around in part because of the young players. Jorge Flores has scored in three consecutive games, Justin Braun has two assists in the last two games and Bobby Burling has played solidly in central defense. Consequently, the club is one point out of the top spot in the Western Conference entering Thursday's game at the New York Red Bulls.
Now, though, the club is an interesting situation. Young players are playing well but the starters are regaining their health. Can Preki leave the regulars on the bench when last year's standouts return?
That appears to be the case.
"I always say the players that play well, they play," Preki said.
Chivas USA has three consecutive victories for the fourth time in club history. With a win against New York, the club would set a team record for most consecutive wins.
The fight for starting spots is always present, and with the club generating results with young players in the lineup, that is a fight the youngsters have prevailed in thus far.
"That's the way it is right now. I'm just trying to go out there, help the team and hopefully we'll continue to do well," Braun said. "If I keep playing I'm just going to do what I can. If not, I'll just continue to work my way in there again if I have to."
Flores, meanwhile, said he was not about to question Preki's decisions, whether the 18-year-old is included in the lineup or not.
"That depends on him and whatever decision he makes," Flores said. "There is a lot of talent there."
While players regain their health, the starting lineup might not change. On Saturday against Columbus, some of the club's injured players were available for selection from the start but did not.
"You see Claudio (Suarez) and Shavar (Thomas) were on the bench (Saturday) and they didn't start," Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. "He's obviously not messing with the lineup as long as we're winning."
Against New York, the Red-and-White may have some considerable talent and experience available. Consider: Major League Soccer's second-highest goal scorer ever, Mexico's all-time caps leader, and a rising star within the U.S. national team could all be in uniform against the Red Bulls, and none could start. But while Ante Razov, Suarez and Jonathan Bornstein have come close to or are all but recovered from their respective injuries, the unit that is playing together is producing.
Preki has used a 4-5-1 formation, with Kljestan playing centrally behind Braun. Atiba Harris and Jorge Flores have played on the right and left sides, respectively, and the club's offense has continued its high level of output. Chivas USA has scored seven goals in the last three games while allowing just two.
"We've played with the lone striker and myself underneath him," Kljestan said. "It's kind of helping us out not only with our combinations up front but with our wide players as well because you see Atiba and Jorge Flores are higher up the field and wider. When I play on the right, I'm more tucked in so we don't get much service from the outside."
It remains to be seen how the formation would change with the return of players such as Razov, Maykel Galindo and Raphael Wicky. But it is seemingly a good problem to have.
"We have a good group. We have a lot of good players. Also we are going to go through a stretch in July where we are going to play every three days," Preki said. "It's great to see some of these young players stepping up and holding their own. We understand that these players can step on the field and do the job for us."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
