RSL vs CD Chivass [R]

[fuegote]

Let's get this thread started! It's a match week!!!

[Loyal1]

It's been exciting to watch the clock tick down to the opener.

It's time to truely put the ghosts of '05 in the past.

[Jose Luis Luviano]

I just hope that Jeff Cunningham and Mehdi Ballouchy aren't held by Los Angeles County Social Services authorities for Abuse Of The Elderly after what they are going to do to Claudio Suarez and Ramon Ramirez.

[bordelais7]

Anyone want to venture a guess at starting lineups for both teams? I think the RSL lineup is pretty set with the big question mark being the forwards.

[SoccerPrime]

Whats the current status of Cunningham and Kreis. Will they be ready for Sunday?
I noticed that Watson and Harris started against the Portland Pilots.

[Deuce]

I think our forwards will be Cunningham with Harris/Watson being interchangable until Kreis is 100% fit.
I like that RSL does not have to rush Kreis back and can afford to wait til he is totally fit before adding him to the starting lineup.

On that note I think we may see Kreis as a starter on the home opener.

[SoccerPrime]

According to James Edward of DesNews: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635194764,00.html
4. Real Salt Lake
2005 RECORD: 5-22-5 (20 points)
CONFERENCE FINISH: Fifth
COACH: John Ellinger (second season)
PROJECTED OPENING DAY LINEUP: Scott Garlick (K), Daniel Torres (D), Eddie Pope (D), Carey Talley (D), Chris Brown (D), Douglas Sequeira (M), Mehdi Ballouchy (M), Chris Klein (M), Andy Williams (M), Jeff Cunningham (F), Atiba Harris (F).
STRENGTHS: RSL should be much improved this year after overhauling half its roster. New additions Jeff Cunningham, Chris Klein, Douglas Sequeira, Carey Talley and Scott Garlick will no doubt raise the effort and professionalism, and keep the club competitive. Rookies Mehdi Ballouchy and Atiba Harris have enjoyed fantastic preseasons, and both have the potential to make an immediate impact from day one. Harris' emergence should allow RSL to ease Jason Kreis back into the lineup instead of rushing him after his ACL surgery last season.
CONCERNS: Even though Cunningham entered camp fit and anxious to play for his new coaching staff, he does have a reputation as a selfish player, and that could creep back into his game if RSL struggles early on. Eddie Pope (USA) and Douglas Sequeira (Costa Rica) are virtual locks to make their respective World Cup squads, and only time will tell if RSL's improved depth is enough to weather their absences.

5. CD Chivas USA
2005 RECORD: 4-22-6 (18 points)
CONFERENCE FINISH: Sixth
COACH: Bob Bradley (first season)
PROJECTED OPENING DAY LINEUP: Brad Guzan (K), Jonathan Bornstein (D), Carlos Llamosa (D), Claudio Suarez (D), Lawson Vaughn (D), Jesse Marsch (M), Francisco Mendoza (M), Juan Pablo Garcia (M), Sacha Kljestan (M), Ante Razov (F), Francisco Palencia (F).
STRENGTHS: Chivas' greatest asset was hiring coach Bob Bradley and allowing him to build the Goats' team his way. A year after one of the worst seasons in MLS history, Chivas ownership has a much better understanding of what it takes to win. Adding MLS veteran Jesse Marsch (Chicago) and Ante Razov (New York) should help bring a different attitude to Southern California, as should central defenders Claudio Suarez and Carlos Llamosa. If it starts winning, Chivas might enjoy the same home-field advantage as the Galaxy and might beat L.A. once this year.
CONCERNS: Chivas' two new central defenders are 38- and 37-years-old respectively, and the depth behind them isn't very proven. Counting on rookie Sacha Kljestan — the No. 5 overall pick in the draft — to start at attacking midfield seems like an impossible task for a youngster. However, at least he'll play with some passion, unlike aging Mexican veteran Ramon Ramirez last year.

[fuegote]

Deuce, where are they practicing this week?

[Aero]

Originally Posted by fuegote

Deuce, where are they practicing this week?

California. They don't get back into town until April 3rd.

[fuegote]

http://chivas.usa.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060325&content_id=54465&vkey=news_cdc&fext=.jsp&team=cdc

a good report on the Chivass