CARSON, Calif. — Chivas USA are looking to increase their depth ahead of the Sept. 15 roster deadline, and a pair of defenders are making an appealing case for the Rojiblancos.
Mattias Schnorf, a center back from the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks, and Mark Bloom, an outside back from the Charlotte Eagles of the USL PRO, have continued to impress the Robin Fraser & Co. during their week with the Goats.
With the back line dealing with fatigue and an injury to leader Heath Pearce, the pair of trialists represents an interesting option for Fraser.
“They’re good players,” Fraser said on Thursday. “Whether they’re a good fit for us at this point of the season with our limited roster spots remains to be seen, but I think that they’ve both shown pretty well.”
The two defenders have each played minutes alongside the Chivas’ first deal defense, with Bloom having spent time filling in for Ante Jazic at left back. Meanwhile, Schnorf saw extended duty for the Rojiblancos during their training on Thursday, playing alongside the first team in central defense. The former Switzerland Under-21 international appeared confident distributing from the back and made a pair of stops on Chivas attackers.
Overall, Fraser has been pleased with their performance and admits that they each have unique skills that can make them valuable assets for Chivas.
“Mark is a young outside back who has appeared switched on most of the time and done well for himself,” said Fraser. “Mattias is very comfortable on the ball and on the field, he’s a good player no question. The question is whether we want to spend our only vacant spot on a center back. That’s a question that we’ll have to answer in the short run.”
The potential additions of Schnorf or Bloom may have big ramifications for Chivas, who are still looking to use their top spot in the allocation order. The club passed on three potential chances to use their allocation pick, skipping on Benny Feilhaber, Freddy Adu and Sammy Ochoa.
With less than a week left before for Rojiblancos can fill the vacant spot on the roster, they are still exploring their options.
“We’ve had conversations about lots of things,” said Fraser. “I know that I’m being vague, but that’s really where it is at. I don’t feel like there is anything pressing that says we’re for sure going to get anything done or not in the [next] seven days.”
Adam Serrano covers Chivas USA for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at adam.m.serrano@gmail.com and on Twitter: @adamserrano
