CARSON, Calif. - Dress rehearsals are over. The days until it counts for real are getting fewer in number. The club's third-ever preseason is all but finished.
But is Chivas USA ready for the 2007 Major League Soccer season?
"Over all the years I've been doing this, there have been very few times where at the beginning of the season I've felt like 'OK, we're ready.' I almost never feel like that," Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "Sometimes you don't know until the lights come on and you're finally playing real games ... last year it was maybe a month and a half into the season before we really knew what we were all about."
Chivas USA open the 2007 season Saturday at home against Toronto FC. The preseason finished on Saturday when Chivas USA beat Chicago 1-0 in a friendly in Mississippi. While it was Chivas USA's only victory against an MLS opponent during the preseason, it nevertheless came at the most opportune time for the club.
"The exercise on Saturday against Chicago was pretty decent," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "The mentality of the players was good. I was happy with the way we closed the game, winning 1-0 and being a man down. I think we showed character and the will to win and I think that's very important to go into the season."
The club had to overcome several obstacles during the preseason. First, three key figures from last year's team, including current interim U.S. coach Bob Bradley, did not return from the last time Chivas USA took the field last year. Preki had the task of guiding a club through a preseason for the first time.
Also, several new faces had to acclimate to the club, including forward Maykel Galindo and midfielder Amado Guevara. And the club lost 2006 MLS Rookie of the Year Jonathan Bornstein to an injury in mid-February.
Through it all, though, Chivas USA did a good job to prepare for the 2007 season.
"The work went well and the team showed well," Guevara said. "When a group works well together, it's easier on the group and allows you to play to your ability."
Chivas USA will receive some early tests this year. After hosting what is looking like a formidable expansion side in Toronto FC, Chivas USA will head to MLS titleholders Houston on April 14 before consecutive Home Depot Center dates against Real Salt Lake (on April 21) and the Galaxy (April 28).
While the preseason worked well for players to regain their fitness, it hast not yet given the club a solid idea of what the season will have in store for them.
"We haven't necessarily found out what kind of team we are yet but at the same time I think we still feel good about the direction of this team and the personnel and so now we're still trying to get it to mesh together," Marsch said. "We've got everyone here and we've got everyone healthy. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we can really start to understand what we're going to be all about."
In the end, however, the preseason has left a positive impression on the club.
"We're doing all the right things and I think we're moving in the right direction," Marsch said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
