Carson, CA (My Sportsbook) - Chivas USA hopes to solidify its spot in the upcoming Major League Soccer playoff when it hosts the last-placed New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.
The Goats (11-9-4) are currently in seventh place in the eight team playoff field, but have games in hand on every other playoff team. The team is coming off a scoreless draw at Western Conference rival Seattle in which it locked the game down defensively.
"We thought it was a hard-fought game on both sides and Seattle had a bit more going forward. Seattle had the home crowd going for them and we had to be sure to play solid defense and not give too much away," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "There were a couple of moments we broke down and [goalkeeper] Zach [Thornton] came up big for us. Given all the facts I don't think they did too much, it was more about the crowd. They only had one or two chances all game."
The Red Bulls (4-17-5) are in the midst of one of the worst seasons in franchise history and have no shot at the playoffs, but have lost just one of their last four league fixtures and are trying to close out the season on a high note.
"To win two of our last four and tie a third is obviously progress for this season," interim coach Richie Williams said. "Hopefully, we can carry that momentum onto the road trip, and then we have one more home game on October 24th, so hopefully we come out with as many points as possible."
The team is coming off a 1-1 draw with New England and will be gunning for its first road victory of the season on Saturday. The team is currently 0-11-1 on the road this season.
The Red Bulls will be without forward John Wolyniec and defender Carlos Mendes, while midfielders Jorge Rojas and Nick Zimmerman are questionable, all with injuries.
Chivas USA will be without defender Jim Curtin, midfielders Kevin Harmse and Sasha Victorine, and forward Ante Razov because of injuries, Marcelo Saragosa because of suspension, and Jorge Flores and Gerson Mayen because of international duty. Forward Eduardo Lillingston and midfielder Jesse Marsch are also listed as questionable on the injury report.
