A look at the big questions surrounding Chivas USA for the 2006 season and looking ahead to the 2007 campaign:
WHAT DOES CHIVAS USA NEED TO DO TO GET BACK INTO THE PLAYOFFS AND MAKE A RUN AT MLS CUP 2007?
Chivas improved by leaps and bounds in 2006, but the club lacked concentration in crucial stretches of games. Against the Galaxy on April 15, Chivas led 1-0 in the 83rd minute; at Colorado on July 20, Chivas led 3-2 in stoppage time. Yet Chivas could not hang on to their leads. The Galaxy put two past Brad Guzan while the Rapids scored three minutes into stoppage time. Instead of six points from those two games, Chivas walked away with just one.
Chivas finished three points behind Houston in the final standings.
The Chivas mentality was strong and was that way from Day One. Under coach Bob Bradley, Chivas was a confident, hard-working squad. Yet the hard work the club put in during training did not always result in victories. An improved level of concentration and the ability to put teams away will go a long way in 2007.
WHAT WAS THE TEAM'S BEST MOMENT IN '06?
The highlight of the year came in the playoffs. What was never really in reach in 2005 came to fruition this season as Chivas USA reached the MLS Cup Playoffs. Facing a team that gave Chivas some of their toughest challenges during the regular season, Chivas nonetheless came out firing.
Chivas drew Houston Dynamo in the first round of the playoffs and hosted its first-ever playoff match on Oct. 22. At the tail end of the hotly contested first half, Ante Razov struck the back of the net with a deft free kick from 19 yards out. Then, Francisco Palencia doubled Chivas' advantage in the second half when he knocked in a free kick from Sacha Kljestan.
Chivas held on to win the game 2-1 but could not maintain its aggregate-goals lead at Houston the following week. Dynamo beat Chivas 2-0, won the series 3-2 on aggregate and went on to win MLS Cup. But for one glorious afternoon, Chivas had cemented its rise from the ashes of 2005.
WHO MADE THE MOST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON?
In January, all 12 MLS clubs passed on a little-known UCLA forward. While Bruin standouts Marvell Wynne and Patrick Ianni received the lion's share of attention leading up to the 2006 SuperDraft, Jonathan Bornstein quietly slipped to the fourth round. Chivas took Seton Hall's Sacha Kljestan fifth overall but quickly snatched up Bornstein with the first pick in the fourth round.
Bornstein did not disappoint. By the start of the season, he had locked down the starting left back spot. His play was solid but certainly not spectacular through the first three months of the season. But July was Bornstein's breakout party. He scored four goals while playing at defender, midfielder and forward. The league took notice and Bornstein was named MLS Player of the Month for July. By season's end, Bornstein had become one of Chivas' key players. After the season, Bornstein was honored as MLS Rookie of the Year.
His future seems bright. Although he showed his ability throughout the field, Bornstein said he would like to develop as a left back for Chivas. A call-up from the U.S. national team is also not out of the question.
WHAT RESERVES ARE MOST READY TO MOVE INTO THE FIRST TEAM?
Like Bornstein, Lawson Vaughn rose from the ranks of the unknown and played his way onto the starting lineup. But unlike Bornstein, Vaughn could not keep his starting spot. A right back, Vaughn bounced back and forth from the field to the bench. By season's end, however, he had overcome his inconsistencies and was a starter in the playoffs.
Tim Regan, who started at right back for a majority of the season, is no longer with the team. Left unprotected in the expansion draft, Regan went to Toronto FC, who then dealt him right back to the New York Red Bulls, where he was before coming with Bradley to Chivas for the '06 season. Vaughn is the likely candidate to fill the void at right back.
WHAT AREA OF THE TEAM NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT?
For Chivas to follow up its strong 2006 campaign with a stronger 2007, the club needs to upgrade its depth. Chivas hit pay dirt with Bornstein when starters were injured as Bornstein filled in admirably at forward and/or midfield. But Bornstein was put in those positions as much for his own ability as the lack of quality on the bench.
Late-season acquisitions from Mexico helped bolster the squad as Jesus Morales and Johnnie Garcia joined Chivas USA from Chivas de Guadalajara. Yet injuries also took their toll with Garcia as he was not able to contribute much because of injury.
In the second leg of their playoff series against Houston, Chivas had to make do without Ante Razov. The lack of a quality replacement hurt as the offense was nonexistent in stretches of the match. Chivas failed to score and were ousted from the playoffs.
Enigmatic midfielder Juan Pablo Garcia has shouted his desire to test his luck in Europe since his arrival in 2005. In January, he might just get his chance. But his personal gain would be Chivas' loss as the club would need to replace his eight goals, six assists and quality playmaking and ball skills. A healthy John O'Brien would more than make up for Garcia's absence, but O'Brien's health status seems questionable.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
