Toronto FC v. Chivas USA - Match Preview

No DeRo. No wins in our last four. No confidence in me for this team to beat the MLS-leading Chivas USA, who are 4-0-1. We have a huge opportunity to make a point though. If we can beat the league's best team thus far, some of the fans can once again start believing in the potential of this team. It is no easy task, of course.

The Goats are one side we've never beaten. We lost to them 2-0 in our first match ever in MLS on April 7, 2007. Last season, we had a home and home with them, and lost 2-1 at the Home Depot Center and 3-1 at BMO Field - with Rick Titus and Tim Regan.

What: Toronto FC v. Chivas USA

Where: BMO Field (capacity 20,500)

When: Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 PM EST

TV: Gol TV, Direct Kick, MLS Match Center

Our starting eleven will certainly be different than it has been these past two matches. Dwayne De Rosario is out for at least two games with a hamstring pull, and could be out longer than that. In an ideal world, Pablo Vitti would start in his place, but I have no idea what John Carver will do. Another option would be Danny Dichio, and if he starts, I'd much rather see him play with Vitti than Barrett. I doubt Carver will be sitting Barrett though, especially considering he broke his duck on Sunday.

I'm interested to see if Fuad Ibrahim retains his spot in the starting eleven. Just 17, he's already showing signs that he's going to be a phenomenal player in this league. His touch is incredible. Has he, though, been any more effective than Rohan Ricketts was in the first three matches? Since he's so young, I give him the benefit of the doubt, but he hasn't exactly torn up that left wing.

Adrian Serioux is not hurt. He pulled up late in Sunday's game after taking a throw-in, but I guess that was just because of cramping. I highly doubt this is the lineup we will see tomorrow night, but here is the team I might put out...

Frei

Wynne     Serioux     Harmse     Brennan

Robinson

Cronin             Guevara           Ricketts

Vitti                 Dichio

Everytime both Vitti and Dichio have seen more than 30 seconds of each other on the pitch, they've seemed to link up together pretty well. I'd like to see them play together for a game.

As for Chivas, they are a lot worse off with injuries than they are. They have a surprisingly deep team though, as is evident in their undefeated start. Preki certainly knows how to get the best out of his players. New acquisitions Eduardo Lillingston and Bojan Stepanovic have both fit in nicely right away, meanwhile Jesse Marsch, Sacha Kljestan, and Paulo Nagamura continue to anchor the midfield. Here is how Chivas USA might line up tomorrow night...

Thornton

Tujillo      Thomas       Talley       Curtin   

Nagamura

Kljestan                 Marsch            Stepanovic

Lillingston                Harris     

The team features former TFC expansion draftee Paulo Nagamura, and Zach Thornton, who is best remembered for being dropped after being stretchered off at BMO Field last September. A classic moment.

I hate to do it, but I'm going to predict a 2-0 loss tomorrow night. If we can come together and pull out a result, I'll be ecstatic, but in predicintg a loss, I won't be as let down for a hundredth time.