Good things come in groups of six: cans of soda, Batman movies, Britney Spears albums.
As of Saturday, you can add "Games in Chivas USA's latest unbeaten streak" to that list.
The Red-and-White have been on fire lately, boasting a 3-0-3 record in their last half dozen games. The streak has taken them to a tie at the top of the Western Conference with a game in hand.
It got me thinking. Maybe six is our lucky number.
Zach Thornton has been an MLS All-Star six times. Jesse Marsch has been either MLS Cup or US Open Cup champion on six separate occasions. Goalkeeper coach Leo Percovich made six appearances with the Uruguayan National Team during his playing days. Justin Braun has taken 66 shots so far this season.
Now here's the best part.
There are exactly six games between Chivas USA and the 2009 MLS Cup: two more regular season matches, two first-round playoff matches, one Western Conference Championship, one MLS Cup Championship.
I think it's fate. If Chivas USA can take home the championship this season, I'm getting a big number "6" tattooed on my back. Or maybe I'll at least steal Ante Jazic's jersey.
On to the Awards!
Hollywood Corner
Where we remember that Chivas USA is in Hollywood's backyard.
Best Actor (the Man of the Match): Sacha Kljestan
Ladies and Gentlemen, Sacha Kljestan is back.
The midfielder has scored five goals and notched one assist in his last nine games for the Red-and-White. He was unstoppable on Saturday, chasing down opposing midfielders and helping set up both of Chivas USA's goals.
Looks like the slump that had plagued him for much of the season's early weeks is over. It's a good thing, too. I was starting to wonder if his power was somehow linked to the long hair that he cut off before the 2009 season.
Best Supporting Actor (the guy you might not have noticed): Justin Braun
Braun was all over the place on Saturday night, helping spark the Chivas USA offense while annoying the heck out of the San Jose defense at the same time. Most importantly, he scored the team's precious second goal, out-jumping the Earthquakes goalie to head the ball into the back of the net.
The people of San Jose must hate Braun. In each of the last three matches against Chivas USA, the young striker has scored either the game-winning or the game-tying goal against the Earthquakes. He is the Batman to their Joker. The Luke Skywalker to their Darth Vader. The Derrick Zoolander to their Mugatu.
The Villain (the thing from the match that we love to hate): Chris Leitch
Can somebody get a leash on this guy? Leitch created both of San Jose's goals on Saturday night, taking advantage of two set pieces for the Earthquakes.
Come on, Chris. You started at UNC a year after Carey Talley had left. You guys are both Tarheels. You aren't supposed to show up at Carey's home stadium and create two goals for the visiting team. That shows a complete lack of loyalty to your alma mater, if you ask me.
Oscar Moment (what you're remember from this game): Lahoud's Chip
In the 16th minute of Saturday's match, Maykel Galindo sent a perfect pass into Lahoud on the right side of the San Jose area. As the Quakes goalkeeper came rushing off his line, Lahoud chipped the ball over his head and toward the net. His effort sailed just wide left of the post, but the moment embodied the kind of classy brilliance normally reserved for far more seasoned players.
Lahoud has been on fire recently. Since joining the starting eleven on September 13th, Chivas USA is undefeated (3-0-3). He has yet to score his first MLS goal, but with the display he put on against San Jose, it's not far away.
POWER RANKINGS
Where we take a look around the league and see who's in position to take the glory
1) Chivas USA
The Red-and-White are now undefeated in six consecutive matches, and soon to be undefeated in six more.
Tied for 13) Toronto, New England, D.C., New York, Kansas City, Colorado, Seattle, San Jose, Dallas, Columbus, Los Angeles, Salt Lake
We're in first place in the West and we still have a game in hand on all of you.
14) Chicago
Cuauhtémoc who?
15) Houston
As if you weren't already destined to lose at The Home Depot Center next Sunday, now you have to play without Brian Ching, who got a red card against Los Angeles.
Red-and-White Monday runs each week on cdchivasusa.com. Views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's, and not necessarily those of Chivas USA, Major League Soccer, or their respective websites. Send any questions and comments to the author at ChivasMonday@gmail.com.
