CARSON, Calif. -- As the United States and other CONCACAF nations prepared for World Cup qualifying, nearly every Major League Soccer clubs dealt with international absences during Week 12 of the 2008 campaign.
Chivas USA gave up a pair for the U.S. cause, and ultimately their absences might have affected the turnout of Saturday's match.
Although Sacha Kljestan went the distance against Real Salt Lake, neither he nor goalkeeper Brad Guzan trained with the Red-and-White for the week leading up to Real Salt Lake. Chivas USA fell to their fellow 2005 expansion side 1-0 at The Home Depot Center, the first time RSL has beaten Chivas USA in southern California.
"It was a tough loss for us but in saying that I think the guys will be able to bounce back and get things going," Guzan said on Sunday. "Obviously we've got a big game Thursday."
Though neither player had trained, it was not until Saturday afternoon that Chivas USA coach Preki found out his respective players' fates. Kljestan was made available while Guzan was not. Preki quickly inserted Kljestan into the starting lineup and gave Dan Kennedy his first-ever MLS start.
Chivas USA, though, did not appear sharp in the first 45 minutes. In the second half, already trailing by a goal, the Red-and-White pressed forward and had opportunities but could not put them away.
Kljestan downplayed the affect his weeklong absence from his club played in his game.
"I've trained with them all season long but it's not like a big shock, like I'm coming into some new team but it's tough. I didn't get a feel of what Preki told the guys during the week. I didn't get to prepare with the rest of the guys all week as to how we were going to press Salt Lake and how we were going to play them and how they are going to play," Kljestan said. "Other than that it's the same old thing. We just didn't finish our goals tonight."
Meanwhile, Guzan seemed all but set to play against RSL. After all, Guzan played for the USA in Spain on June 4 but did not miss Chivas USA's match at New York a day later.
Tim Howard's back had other plans, though. Howard strained his lower back in training on Friday and U.S. coach Bob Bradley called on Guzan for Sunday's match against Barbados.
Preki said that Guzan's absence might have affected the team.
"It could have been the difference," Preki said.
Kennedy, meanwhile, said he was prepared for the match.
"I try to be ready for every game regardless of the situation," Kennedy said.
Now, as Chivas USA prepares for the MLS Primetime Thursday match against Chicago, the club knows what is ahead. The U.S. team was scheduled to depart for Miami on Monday morning and will head down to the Caribbean on Friday. With Guzan and Kljestan out of town for the week, Preki and the players will know what to expect come game day.
For Kennedy, that means not deviating from the norm.
"You always try to stay in routines. I think it's important you go out and cover the different aspects of goalkeeping and we're going to stick with the same scheme. I think it's been working. I'm confident with what I have," Kennedy said. "I'm actually real excited for the game Thursday. If it comes down to it and I play Thursday I'm going to fight as much as I can to get those three points."
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