In every match, opposing teams test Chivas USA in the Red-and-White's quest to reach the playoffs. These days, however, the players are also facing a stiff challenge from an unexpected source: themselves.
Injuries and suspensions will force Chivas USA to dig deep in their bench for Sunday's game against FC Dallas at The Home Depot Center as the club could be without as many as seven players for the match against their Western Conference rivals.
"It's a crazy week," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "It is what it is. We have what we have. We're going to try to prepare the team the best way we can and hopefully everybody is going to be ready to play."
The club will be without midfielder Sacha Kljestan and Francisco Mendoza, each of whom picked up a red card in last week's 4-3 loss at Columbus. Also, forward Alecko Eskandarian is in Germany to help correct his sports hernia injury and will not play Sunday.
Additionally, midfielder Raphael Wicky did not train yet again on Wednesday, and his chances of playing on Sunday are seemingly bleak.
"He hasn't practiced now for 5-6 days," Preki said. "You can't miss 5-6 days and then play. It's not that easy."
Striker Ante Razov did not make the trip to Columbus. Razov has played only in the season opener, which he left with a calf injury. Razov, though, trained on Wednesday for the first time since picking up the injury. Time will tell, however, if the 13-year veteran will be able to heal in enough time to play Sunday.
"I can only take it day by day, coming off a muscle tear," Razov said. "(Coaches and trainers) said I'd know more about it (Thursday) after a day of training. I'd like to play Sunday for sure but I've also got to be smart. It's a long season."
Claudio Suarez has not played this season after his father Vicente passed away days before the season opener in Dallas. Coupled with a broken nose he suffered on Friday, Suarez has issues to deal with but the veteran defender trained without issue on Wednesday.
Also, right back Lawson Vaughn warmed up with his teammates but did not participate in the training session.
Forward Maykel Galindo, meanwhile, has played in every game this season but is carrying a groin injury. He came off the bench in the club's two road games and played most of the home win against Real Salt Lake.
Preki was encouraged by the forward's progress.
"He trained (Wednesday). He looked fine," Preki said. "Hopefully we can push Maykel a little bit more because he needs to train, he needs to be sharp in training to play.
Galindo scored the equalizer against FC Dallas in the season-opening 1-1 draw after coming on as a substitute but Preki said the Cuban is more valuable starting the match.
"He's a starter," Preki said. "I don't want to bring Maykel off the bench but if he isn't 100 percent we keep him on the bench and hopefully he can give us something at the end of the game."
The injuries have taken a toll on the club as the number of healthy players dwindles. Still, perhaps a week of training will help the walking wounded regain some of their fitness.
"Guys just have got to keep pressing through and keep staying fit," defender Jonathan Bornstein said. "The guys who are injured just have to get healthy as soon as they can so we can field a strong enough team."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
