Chivas USA can officially be mentioned in the conversation as Western Conference title contenders following their 1-0 win against Real Salt Lake on Sunday night at The Home Depot Center. The three points moves Chivas into a tie for second place in the West with FC Dallas, both teams just two points adrift of Houston, but Chivas with two games in hand.
Defense has been the key as of late for the Red-and-White. Chivas limited Salt Lake to just one shot on goal in the entire match, which didn't come until the 84th minute of the match. The game marked the third shutout in a row for Chivas and the fourth in their last five games. It was a collective effort Sunday, as it has been during the current run.
"It hasn't been just four solid guys. It's been a combination of players. It's really good to know that we're getting shutouts and staying compact," said Jonathan Bornstein, who continued his versatility by playing right back against RSL. "Something we've been working on is defending as a group of eight with the midfield and the defense. I think it's been going very well."
Chivas head coach Preki echoed Bornstein's thoughts following the game.
"The defense has been playing great but every time I talk about defense I talk about us as a unit, a whole group," said Preki. "I think everybody has been playing pretty good, and playing hard."
Chivas rested a couple of players and mixed things up a bit on the back line. Regular starter Shavar Thomas was given a rest, and Alex Zotinca was serving a suspension after being sent off in Thursday's 3-0 win against the LA Galaxy. Jason Hernandez stepped into the middle to cover for Thomas and Bornstein moved from the left fullback position to the right side, and the Chivas defense didn't miss a beat.
"My hat goes off to (the defense). They make my job a lot easier when I only have to face one or two shots a game," said Brad Guzan, who was credited with the shutout. "Whether it's Shavar, Claudio (Suarez), Johnny (Bornstein) or Lawson (Vaughn) back there or Orlando (Perez) stepping in or Jay (Hernandez) stepping in, whoever we slide back there gets the job done. I have all the confidence in the world in those guys."
There were a few anxious moments late in the game as Salt Lake threw numbers forward looking for an equalizer. It was one of the few blemishes on an otherwise rock-solid performance for Chivas.
"I would like not to be so excited the last few minutes," said Preki. "I thought we had plenty of chances to close the game early but we'll take it the way it is. It's been a hard week for us -- three games, three difficult opponents and obviously nine points."
Those nine points have put Chivas USA level with FC Dallas, though with a better goal difference and the two games in hand. They are also now within two points of Houston. All season long the two Texas teams have dominated the top of the West, and not being mentioned in the conversation is something that has motivated Chivas through the current stretch.
"We know we haven't been getting much respect from out in the soccer world. We haven't been mentioned in the discussions between the first and second place teams," said Bornstein. "It's all been Houston and Dallas. We've been coming up the charts. Now we're catching up in points because we're making up those games we had tucked away."
Confidence is high right now in the Chivas locker room. The club has a bit of a break ahead before two more home games against D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls. Chivas is playing as good as just about anybody in the league right now, and sitting in second place for the moment, things are looking up. Chivas shows no signs of being willing to give up that guaranteed spot in the playoffs either.
"We like our chances. Right now we're thinking D.C. United in 10 days," said Preki. "If we play the way we are playing and we're committed like the way we are committed right now, we'll be there."
It's hard to argue against that after Sunday's performance. With 270 consecutive minutes of shutout soccer heading into the final six weeks of the season, Chivas USA are starting to look like a serious contender for MLS Cup. If they do find themselves making a deep run into the playoffs, it will be the defense that leads the way.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
