CARSON, Calif. — In terms of big victories, Chivas USA’s 3-2 win at New York in mid-May easily stands as one of the Goats’ largest of the season. Now Robin Fraser’s team are hoping to repeat that landmark victory on Saturday.
The Rojiblancos again face off against the New York Red Bulls at the Home Depot Center (10:30 pm ET, Galavisión), and though New York have struggled somewhat of late, Chivas USA are wary of arguably the league’s most talented side.
"They're a team that can strike anywhere at any time," head coach Robin Fraser told reporters earlier this week. "So we have to be very dilligent and be switched on because they have so many weapons."
The weapon that gives Fraser the most pause is, unsurprisingly, star forward Thierry Henry. The French Designated Player has been extremely influential this year, scoring nine goals along and dishing four assists. The savvy veteran scored on Chivas in that meeting at Red Bull Arena and the Goats will be eager to shut him down to earn another victory against RBNY.
"He's a very difficult player to match up against because he's got so much pace and knows exactly what to do," said Fraser. "He's the type of player that changes games in three to five seconds; he can be doing nothing and then make a 35-yard run by three defenders and score. He's someone that we need to be very aware of."
In charge of leading the Rojiblancos will be Nick LaBrocca, who has scored in three straight matches. For Chivas USA to repeat their famous victory, it will be up to the midfielder to spearhead the attack with his tireless effort and skilled passing.
Chivas USA's date with the Red Bulls is a game that has drawn substantial attention, not just because the Rojiblancos will face one of the East's premier teams, but because the game will take place at almost the exact same time as the LA Galaxy's match with Spanish giants Real Madrid just miles up the freeway at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
To top it all off the game will also happen during a massive closure of the heavily trafficked I-405 freeway over the weekend that has been affectionately labeled by Angelenos as "Carmaggeddon."
Regardless of the external factors, Fraser knows his club must take care of business at home.
"It'll be a difficult match, but home games are games that we believe should be won so we have to have that approach," stated Fraser.
Adam Serrano covers Chivas USA for MLSsoccer.com and can be reached at adam.m.serrano@gmail.com and on Twitter: @AdamSerrano
