Columnist Nick Green has written 100 Percent Soccer
since 2005. A
native of England, he began writing about soccer in
the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat
in the stands for one in
the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home
Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas
USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer.
Married to a long-suffering soccer widow, he has a cat
named Pele.Chicago Fire at Chivas USA
Cuauhtemoc Blanco received a big cheer - yes, cheer - from fans when he came out for the pre-game warm-up. Lots of Club America fans in the stadium tonight and it looks to be one of Chivas USA's largest crowds of the season.
Former Chadwick School star John Thorrington, resigned by Chicago just before the transfer window closed, is on the bench. He's scored a goal in the Fire's last two reserve games.
Goalkeeper Matt Pickens can tie the regular season team shutout record if he keeps a clean sheet tonight.
Wilman Conde starts at the back as usual for the Fire, Logan Pause has moved from midfield back into defense with Dasan Robinson benched. C.J. Brown and Gonzalo Segares complete the back four.
Diego Gutierrez is moved to midfield, with Chris Rolfe stepping in alongside Chris Armas and Blanco.
Up front: Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope and former UCLA star Chad Barrett.
Chivas USA Coach Preki has benched defender Alex Zotinca and moved Lawson Vaughn from the midfield slot he played in the 2-1 win against Kansas City last Saturday. As usual, Claudio Suarez, Shavar Thomas and Jonathan Bornstein compolete the back four.
Jesse Marsch returns from suspension alongside Sacha Kljestan, Paulo Nagamura and Panchito Mendoza, who is awaiting a possible national team call for Mexico's Oct. 17 friendly against Guatemala at the Coliseum.
The forwards, as usual, are Maykel Galkindo and Ante Razov, three goals behind D.C. United's Jaime Moreno (who scored today against Toronto) on the MLS all-time goal scoring list.
Chicago, hanging on to the final playoff spot, are seeking their first win in four games.
Chivas USA were just three points behind MLS leaders D.C. United coming in to today's game, but D.C. slaughtered Toronto 4-1 earlier in the day.
The kick off is delayed a half hour on FSN