Much of the talk around the Chivas USA campfire this week has been about how eager the Goats are to bounce back after last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Houston at the Home Depot Center. The Red-and-White are fired up to return to the form that saw them enjoy a three-game unbeaten streak at the start of May.
That will be no easy task, however. Chivas USA have a tricky road date in Columbus. The reigning Supporters’ Shield-holding Crew have yet to lose in 2010, and are a perfect 3-for-3 at home so far this season. But the Goats are firmly focused on the game as a chance to redeem themselves.
“The loss to Houston affects you a little bit, but it’s only one game,” said striker Justin Braun. “It’s a long season – there are still a lot of games to be played. We just have to get back to the things we were doing when we were on that three game unbeaten streak. We’re confident in the style of soccer that we’re playing and we think that we can get three points.”
The Red-and-White will have their hands full with a Columbus side that has given up the fewest number of goals in the Eastern Conference and that has lost only twice in the team’s last 35 home games.
“They play with confidence in their system, and they’ve had the same core group of guys for years now,” said midfielder Michael Lahoud. “They have four very talented guys in the attack, and Schelotto is a genius on the ball.”
Crew veteran and 2008 MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto has been a handful for opposing defenses so far in 2010, scoring three goals and notching an assist in only five games. But the Red-and-White refuse to be intimated by the Argentine and enter Saturday’s match with high expectations.
“We’re hoping to go in there and get three points,” said Braun. “We’ve had a good week of training and guys are feeling positive. We’re trying to move forward and hopefully we’ll be able to bounce back.”
