they're not too happy right now. They're going to be fired up so we have to be really careful."
Against the Galaxy, Chivas USA had a pair of defensive breakdowns in the first 17 minutes and fell behind 2-0. The clubs exchanged second-half goals but Chivas lost to the Galaxy 3-1 and fell to a 1-8-1 all-time mark against their in-stadium rival.
However, Chivas USA is 0-4 and has been outscored 9-1 by D.C. United, who is the only team Chivas USA has never scored a road goal against.
Chivas USA players are expecting a tough D.C. side despite their own early struggles.
"They're a team that works hard," Chivas USA left back Jonathan Bornstein said. "We need to work and match their work ethic. I think if we at least match it we'll do very well. It's just going to come down to whether or not we show up that day. We didn't bring everything that we could have last game. We came out a little flat and we've just got to pick that up for the next game."
D.C. United played well in the preseason as the club reached the CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinals but ultimately fell to Chivas de Guadalajara by a 3-2 aggregate score. Once the regular season started, though, D.C. struggled and lost its first two games by a combined 6-3 score. After dropping a 1-0 result at Columbus last weekend, D.C. returned home and picked up its first point after a 1-1 draw with New England on Thursday.
As last season's Supporters' Shield winners, United's early struggles are startling to Chivas USA players.
"We're surprised that they don't have any points and we just hope they don't start playing well against us," Chivas USA captain Claudio Suarez said.
Unlike United, Chivas USA have a few wins. The club hits the road with a 2-2 mark. Still, the club wants to start the short two-game swing with a positive result and then follow it up with another solid effort against Columbus.
"We played well against Real Salt Lake and played bad against the Galaxy. We don't want to be an inconsistent team," Suarez said. "We need to be more consistent and more regular with our play."
Chivas USA will need to fill a pair of holes in the lineup. Amado Guevara is no longer with the club while Sacha Kljestan will serve the second of a two-game suspension he picked up after a rough challenge on Real Salt Lake's Andy Williams on April 21.
In their place, Preki must find two midfielders ready to play or change formations to accommodate the absences. However, the club acquired Paulo Nagamura from Toronto FC on Friday and could use him immediately.
Whoever steps in should add some energy and spark, players said.
"Guys coming off the bench, this is a chance for them to make their stamp on the team," Razov said. "There are always guys that want to play on the team that don't play. Here's a chance for guys to step up and play and to make their case and say I want to break into the starting 11. So hopefully those guys step in and do a good job."
Still, no matter who head coach Preki sends out the club must have the right mindset to find success against another traditionally difficult rival.
"We have to work hard and have the right mentality. It's not going to be an easy game on Sunday. We know that. We need to be ready for the game and the task at hand and be able to put a lot better effort than we did on Saturday," Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "You have got to have the right focus. If you don't have the right focus, you can be in big trouble. We saw that the first 25 minutes of the Galaxy game."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
