CARSON, Calif. - After nearly two months of training, Chivas USA will soon have the chance to show the fruits of their labor. But before the April 7 season opener, there is one final dress rehearsal.
Chivas USA will play the Chicago Fire in a friendly Saturday in Jackson, Miss., in what is the last of the club's preseason friendlies.
"We have this game against Chicago where I think now we'll be able to show what we can expect from ourselves this season," Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez said. "That will help us going into our first game against Toronto."
Against MLS competition, Chivas USA have not yet won a match in the preseason. The club lost to Chicago already, a 2-1 setback on March 3. The club's most recent setback was a 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake in March 17.
Suarez said the players have been a little lax in the friendlies.
"The games we've had, we've committed some mistakes," Suarez said. "It's almost as if the group is a bit too relaxed, like we're waiting for something meaningful to start so we can tighten up."
Results alone are not causing the players to panic.
"The results in the games we've played haven't been the best as compared to last year. I think we won a lot of games in the preseason last year but it's a little different," Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. "I feel good about what's going on with the team, how we're moving, how we're shaping up. I'm pretty excited for the season to start."
Chivas USA coach Preki did not say whether the club would field a lineup similar to what could be expected against Toronto. In terms of their approach to this match, a lot remains the same as from other preseason friendlies.
"This game is no different," said the Chivas boss. "Obviously, it's the final game before the season opener and we're going to Mississippi with the right frame of mind and getting ourselves ready to go into the season opener."
Asked if he had settled on a starting lineup for the season opener, Preki revealed little.
"Nothing is certain," he said. "Players are working hard and fighting for their spots and that's how we want it to be."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
