The wheels haven't yet completely fallen off of Chivas USA -- but at times it certainly feels like they are low on air.
While the club is still talking about a playoff spot despite a league-worst record with just one win and three draws from 14 matches, sometimes the club does not go into battle with the necessary intensity, defender Ryan Suarez said.
"You can change your lineup, you can change the players but until you get that inner fight it just won't happen," Suarez said.
So how can the team rectify that?
"You've got to go out there and start crushing people," Suarez said.
Then he paused and collected his thoughts.
"I don't know. I don't have any answers," he said.
Chivas USA's losing skid continued Saturday with a stunning 3-1 loss to Colorado. The club has not won a game since May 7 and faces a tough stretch that includes games at FC Dallas and at Kansas City before heading home to host Chicago. Combined, those three clubs are eight games over .500.
Though Chivas players said the going would certainly be rough soon, confidence has not fallen off.
"It's just missed chances for us," Chivas striker Matt Taylor said. "I hit the crossbar (against the Rapids), their player hit the post. It's just like last week (against San Jose). Confidence is fine with the team. You go through your ruts and you go through a little thing here and there."
Chivas USA coach Hans Westerhoff said the club has not lost its confidence or its fighting spirit and it showed against the Rapids.
"At least we showed people that we have the courage and we have the guts to do it until the last minute," he said.
What could be a point of contention among the team is the club's timing and understanding of each other.
"It's just getting into your rhythm and it seems like right now nobody really has a rhythm," Taylor said.
In fact, it's a problem that has lingered from the start of the season.
"I just don't think we're on the same page," Suarez said. "I think it showed [Saturday] but I think it's shown since Day One that we're just not all on the same page."
For players to have more intensity during games is not something the coaching staff can work on or something someone from the outside can instill, Suarez said.
"That comes from the players. That comes from showing up when the whistle blows," he said. "If Monday through Friday you want to pace yourself and you come out on game day, that's really all I care about. If you come out on game day, give it everything you've got and leave the tank empty, then I'm happy with that."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
