Task No. 1 for Chivas USA was reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in history. Task No. 2 now is to get there in one piece.
In the final three games of the season, Chivas had to make do without Francisco Palencia, Ante Razov, Juan Pablo Garcia and Claudio Suarez for some or all of the time. Chivas managed just a draw in those three games.
Razov returned Sunday but was the only one of the quartet to play in the regular season finale. Still, Chivas coach Bob Bradley said he was optimistic that the four players would return in time for the playoffs.
"We know that we have key guys that help us immensely and when they're on the field things are different," Bradley said. "We're hopeful to have our best group ready to go."
Palencia has the most damaging injury of the four. Palencia has not played since Sept. 13, when he sprained his right knee in a 1-0 win at FC Dallas. A week ago, Palencia stepped onto the training field for the first time. Bradley said he was impressed with Palencia's efforts.
"He's made great progress. He's worked so hard last week in terms of doing speed and agility work," Bradley said. "He looked great and did some things with the ball, finishing and some good hard passing and dribbling. We'll get him back in a little bit this week. He's coming back very quickly."
Palencia's determination to return in time for the playoffs is evident.
"He's made great progress. He's worked incredibly hard and we'll see how he does this week," Bradley said. "With players like that you can never sell them short especially when they're working as hard as he has."
While one starting forward hopes to return, another one already has. Razov played in most of Sunday's 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake. The club's leading goal scorer sat out two games with hip and groin issues.
Seeing Razov in action for 78 minutes was a plus, Bradley said.
"That was a good sign. I think he probably would have liked to stay on but I felt that he had about physically come to the end and I didn't want to risk it at that point," Bradley said. "I thought he was moving well. A couple of times he had opportunities to let shots fly and he seemed to be striking it well. Those are all good signs."
Garcia was still feeling pain with his adductor injury so he was kept out of the match as a precaution, Bradley said. Suarez, meanwhile, has tendonitis in his Achilles heel and did not train on Saturday. Both players should be ready to go by Saturday, Bradley said.
Chivas also has to deal with injuries to Johnnie Garcia (ankle) and Jesse Marsch (mild concussion).
In the end, Bradley said he thought it was difficult to say whether Chivas need to have their team at full strength in order to succeed.
"It's impossible to say that because you know what you can still get a performance from a guy that can make the difference," he said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
