CARSON, Calif. – Last Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy may have closed the door on Chivas USA’s 2010 playoff hopes, but the team has no intention of rolling over for the rest of the season.
With four games still left to play, the Red-and-White are committed to returning to winning ways in hope of ending the season on a high note and building a good foundation for next season.
“We’re going to take the approach of giving everything we have to try and win these last four games,” Goats head coach Martín Vásquez told MLSsoccer.com after practice on Tuesday. “We have a group that understands that that’s how it is, and obviously we on the coaching staff do.”
Chivas USA are in the middle of a three-game losing streak, but hope to turn their fortunes around against Toronto FC on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center.
“They’re a good team,” Chivas midfielder Ben Zemanski said. “They’re dangerous in the attack and we have to respect that. We have to do everything we can to try and get a result and stop this losing streak.”
[inline_node:315225]Zemanski’s attitude is not unique in the Chivas USA locker room. Even with the demise of the club’s postseason dreams, the Red-and-White remain eager to get results in October.
“That’s part of being a professional,” Zemanski said. “You have to show pride in your team, show pride in your fans and your organization and show pride in yourself. You have to go out there and compete and find a way to get out of a losing streak.”
With Dario Delgado gone on international duty with Costa Rica this weekend, Vásquez will likely continue tinkering with his defensive corps against Toronto FC. Against the Galaxy, he pushed normal left back Ante Jazic into the middle alongside Carlos Borja and dropped captain Jonathan Bornstein in to the left-back slot after weeks in the midfield.
“Not having Delgado, we have to find somebody that can help us there,” Vásquez said. “Bornstein has played at left back and he’s experienced and smart enough to be able to play that position. We’ve been using him as a left midfielder because of Ante having a good season.”
Regardless of who steps on the field for the Goats over the course of the next four matches, the club mandate will be the same: Win games and finish the season strong.
“We’re going to use the group that we think can help us win the next game,” said Vásquez. “That’s the approach for the last four games.”
