Chivas USA trained early this afternoon in Obetz, Ohio, at the Columbus Crew Training Facility, in preparation for the team’s match tomorrow night. The game between Chivas USA (1-0-1, 4 pts) at the Columbus Crew (1-1-0, 3 pts) kicks off Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. ET).
The team began its training session in warm weather and sunlight, but before long the weather turned colder and it began to rain. The change was not entirely unexpected, as the weather forecast for the weekend prepared the team for rainy weather. A current weather report sets the chance of rain tomorrow night at about 50%.
The weather doesn’t worry goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who is used to damp conditions, having grown up about 300 miles northwest of Columbus, near Chicago.
“I think [the rain] is going to help us move the ball a lot quicker, which will be good,” said Guzan. “We just have to make sure we have a clean first touch and I think it should be a good game.”
Guzan is looking for his first shutout of 2008 after having 13 last season, en route to winning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors. The goalkeeper is no stranger to Crew Stadium, making the trip for the third straight season.
“My first year I had an injury but the others I’ve been out here. I’ve had a good time in Columbus – I have some family that come down from Chicago.”
Chivas USA has never lost in Columbus, with a win and two draws in the first three meetings between the teams at Crew Stadium. Guzan isn’t taking anything for granted, however.
“Obviously they’re a tough team and it’s early in the season so both teams are going to be looking to get three points, and we need to be sure we come out ready to play.”
The Red-and-White will be without several players who remained in California recovering from injury. Forwards Ante Razov (calf strain) and Alecko Eskandarian (groin strain) will be missing, as will midfielder Raphaël Wicky (back spasms) and defender Lawson Vaughn (hamstring strain). A full injury report can be found on MLSnet.com.
The match will be broadcast live in Southern California by FSN Prime Ticket, and Spanish-language game broadcast will be on W Radio 690 AM. Pregame shows on FSN and W Radio begin a half-hour before kickoff, at 4:00 p.m. PT.
