CARSON, Calif. — After two weeks off to celebrate the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the MLS season resumes this Saturday with a crucial match for Chivas USA. In the midst of a five-game losing streak, the Red-and-White are eager to get back to league action and pull themselves out of last place in the Western Conference.
The Goats returned to full training on Monday morning after four days off, and they are excited to be back in the swing of things.
“Everybody came back feeling good,” Chivas USA head coach Martín Vásquez said after Tuesday’s training session. “We all feel that those four days were excellent – just to get away and come back with energy and prepare for Saturday. The work was good yesterday and today.”
The Goats have earned just ten points from twelve games so far this season, and are currently tied for last in the Western Conference in the goals-scored column.
“We’re very anxious to be on the field and to turn this thing around,” defender Mariano Trujillo said. “After four days, we had time to think and reevaluate ourselves. We are clear on the mistakes that we’ve made, and we want to resolve those as soon as we can.”
Trujillo and company have been the victim of a few last-minute lapses in recent matches, conceding goals in the final moments of play in three of the team’s last four games. The Goats are squarely focused on improving their concentration and fixing any bad habits they may have developed in the first third of the season.
“We’re focused in our skills right now; we’re not thinking about Dallas,” Trujillo said. “They’re a good team, but in our recent games, we didn’t get any points because of our own mistakes. We’re just trying to fix those mistakes and be sharp with the ball. If we’re able to do that, we’re going to have a lot of chances to win games.”
Chivas USA kicks off against Dallas on Saturday evening at 7:30pm PT at The Home Depot Center.
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