CARSON, Calif. – Chivas USA’s attack has been struggling, but in their 2-1 defeat to the Chicago Fire, the club got a firsthand look at one of the players who’s expected to help cure their offensive woes.
Colombian forward José Erik Correa made his league debut last Friday, going a total of 20 minutes against the Fire as a substitute. In his short stint, Correa – who scored six goals in seven games with Boyacá Chicó before joining Chivas – was able to make several dangerous runs, but struggled to find the ball as Chicago pushed forward before ultimately scoring the game-winner.
But while his time on the field may have been short, the club was able to see promising signs from the young Colombian.
“He had a bright few seconds of the game,” said Chivas head coach Robin Fraser. “But after that, we really didn’t do a whole lot in providing the forwards with service so it was difficult to assess him after that.”
With the club possibly looking at going into in a 4-4-2 to fix their offensive difficulties, Correa’s opportunities to play alongside Juan Pablo Ángel or any of Chivas’ other forwards should increase. But first, the youngster believes that he must adapt to a style of play that is far different than the one in his native Colombia.
“It’s more of an up-and-down soccer,” Correa told reporters of his impressions of MLS. “There isn’t as much ball control, it’s a type of soccer that is a little more complicated, but I feel that with time, I will adapt to the group, and will do things as best as I can so I can contribute well.”
Time will tell if Correa can be the answer the Rojiblancos need in the attack, but hopes are high that the young Colombian will be able to contribute soon.
“He’s a young guy that is going to give us a lot if we help him settle in the league,” said Ángel. “He is full of energy, his desire and his willingness to do well for the team I think is going to help us. We have to make sure that we use him the right way just to help him develop as a player here.”
Adam Serrano covers Chivas USA for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at adam.m.serrano@gmail.com
