CARSON, Calif. - Through the first three games of the season, Chivas USA started the same back four and allowed just one goal en route to a 2-1 record.
In three games since, the back line has seen three different starting lineups and the club has allowed six goals while earning just one out of a possible nine points.
Chivas USA coach Preki is not about to go in crisis mode, however.
"I think defensively ... we've done a decent job as a group and I hope we can go forward as a group. We were pretty disciplined as a group," Preki said.
Entering Sunday's match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA have a 2-3-1 record and have allowed a total of seven goals. Suspensions, injuries and roster moves have forced Preki's hand somewhat.
Preki started the season with Jonathan Bornstein at left back, Lawson Vaughn and Claudio Suarez in the center and Alex Zotinca on the right. The quartet allowed just one goal - on a set piece at Houston on April 14 - through the first three games as Chivas USA outscored their opponents by 6-1.
In game four - an April 28 date against the Galaxy - midfielder Sacha Kljestan was unavailable due to suspension. Preki started Jason Hernandez at right back and moved Zotinca to right midfield to help compensate for the loss.
However, the Galaxy scored two early goals and Hernandez was replaced at halftime by forward Laurent Merlin, but Chivas USA eventually fell 3-1.
In the next match, Preki returned to the starting back line from the first three games but the club surrendered an early second-half goal and gave away a penalty kick as D.C. United beat Chivas USA 2-1.
On Saturday, Shavar Thomas made his Chivas USA debut as he started in central defense alongside Suarez while Vaughn moved to right back. Chivas USA left Columbus with a 1-1 draw.
"I think in all fairness they've done a pretty decent job," Preki said of his defense. "If you go game by game, we felt like no team has given us an extreme amount of trouble."
Chivas USA suffered a loss to their back line when former U.S. international Carlos Llamosa was lost for the season with a knee injury. To fill the void, Chivas USA acquired Thomas from the Galaxy, though Thomas had yet to see action in the 2007 season.
Thomas spent three seasons in Kansas City and Preki said he felt comfortable bringing in the Jamaican defender.
"I know Shavar from my days in Kansas City," said Preki, a former Wizards standout. "He's a special talent. We're trying to get him fit because for one reason or another he (was) not match fit ... I think he can give us some cover right away."
For Vaughn, the season has been a bit of a learning curve. Used primarily at right back, the 2006 supplemental draft pick nonetheless moved to central defense when the club acquired Zotinca from Kansas City. Vaughn adapted quickly to the position and beat out Hernandez, who started 24 of the 29 games he played in last season.
Vaughn has committed some errors, Preki said, but overall the 23-year-old has plenty of upside.
"Yes, Lawson has made mistakes here and there but I think he's growing on the job and only going to get better and better," Preki said. "He is a good athlete and is pretty good on the ball."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
