Kljestan can inspire Chivas' big week
Even after Chivas USA opened the season with seven wins in nine games, many observers remained unconvinced that this was a squad capable of winning the Western Conference. Key men had either moved on or been sidelined by injuries or lack of form. It was speculated that those who did show early form were incapable of maintaining their high level of play. Sure enough, the breathless beginning gave way to an inconsistent middle stretch of the season, which, in turn, was the catalyst for a run of five straight defeats immediately before and after the All-Star break. All of a sudden, there were whispers about Preki's job security amid general concerns that the early-season work was going to waste. Fortunately, a trip to New York -- where many a losing streak has gone to die -- was scheduled and, following a 2-0 win, Chivas continued to build momentum with an identical result against Toronto. With games in hand on every other team in its conference, things are suddenly looking up for the Goats. Two big games this week will tell us much about whether this newfound optimism will last. First, while Real Salt Lake has been starved of consistency itself, at home it is formidable, having lost once in 11 games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Chivas, with just seven road goals all year (and one in the four games prior to the victory in New York), will be tested. Three days later is another road game, though at least there is no travel involved as Chivas meets the Galaxy (live on ESPN2) in the final regular-season SuperClásico of 2009. Preki's side failed to score in either of the two previous meetings, tying 0-0 in April before losing 1-0 in July. Although no team has conceded fewer goals this season, only two -- Kansas City and New York -- have scored fewer that Chivas, and fans must be hoping that Sacha Kljestan's return to form against Toronto is a sign of things to come. Having let the disappointment of not getting a move to Celtic translate into his play for too long, the midfielder is finally showing why the Scottish giant took an interest in him in the first place. With a strong defense behind him and a little more help up front -- Maicon Santos' debut display bodes well -- Kljestan could provide a spark to fire Chivas into the postseason. We'll know more by Sunday. A thing that made me go hmmm
The Peter Vermes era in Kansas City continues to stall. Having taken charge of the team following the firing of Curt Onalfo, Vermes staked his own reputation on getting the best out of an underperforming squad, which he himself has played a major part in building. Two games into the reclamation project, a return of two defeats and zero goals scored (from 28 shots taken) suggests that, no matter who is in charge of this Wizards squad, there is no magic wand to turn their fortunes around. Vermes has tried tinkering with things -- only five of the starters in Onalfo's last game have since retained their spots -- but to no avail. As I write, Kansas City is nine points adrift of a playoff spot, and Saturday's home game against Real Salt Lake is followed by five of seven on the road. Vermes clearly felt he could do a better job than Onalfo, and though all is not yet lost -- the Wizards have games in hand on those above them -- the early signs are that his move from front office to bench will have little impact. Well-played, old man
What a shame it is that arguably the best goal scorer in MLS is playing for the league's worst team. On Sunday against FC Dallas, Juan Pablo Angel twice demonstrated that, while most things around him may be on the decline, his powers certainly are not. Angel's second goal on Sunday was his 42nd in just 68 matches for the Red Bulls and catapulted the Colombian past Giovanni Savarese into first place on the franchise's all-time scoring list. As a season comes to a close in which virtually nothing has gone right in New York, Angel remains a shining light amid a sea of gloom.