Coming off a solid draw against Chicago last weekend, Chivas USA are focused on continuing their run of good play against New England in Wednesday evening’s mid-week MLS match-up.
The Red-and-White are now unbeaten in their last two outings, and look to make it three in a row against a Revolution squad that hasn’t won since April 10.
“We’re playing against a good team,” Chivas USA coach Martín Vásquez said Tuesday. “We have to try and be consistent with what we started against San Jose and continued against Chicago. We were very consistent in our play, in the way that we defended, and our attitude, and that’s the objective for tomorrow.”
Down a goal in the 55th minute of Saturday’s match against the Fire at Toyota Park, Chivas USA rallied to even the score at 1-1 in the 76th minute and garner the team’s first points on the road of the 2010 season.
“Obviously, playing well against Chicago in Chicago gives you confidence,” Vásquez said. “Knowing that it takes hard work and collective play has helped us to get two positive results the last two games.”
Second-year midfielder Michael Lahoud won’t be joining the team on Wednesday, following a two-game suspension for his foul on Chicago’s Justin Mapp. MLS announced the suspension on Tuesday.
“We should be able to make the adjustment,” Vásquez said of the loss. “We have to look at who the best option is and probably, instead of trying to make two or three changes with positions, man for man will be our smartest decision. We’re leaning toward doing that.”
On the other side of the field, New England will be without talismanic midfielder Shalrie Joseph. The Grenada international was granted an indefinite leave of absence from the team to deal with personal matters on April 24.
“Without Joseph, they’re trying to find their best XI,” Vásquez sad. “That makes them difficult and unpredictable. They’re still a tough opponent. We just have to come out to do what we’ve been doing these past two games.”
