Notable:
*Chivas USA was without seven players due to injury and suspension: Maykel Galindo (sports hernia surgery), Jesse Marsch (fractured jaw), Claudio Surez (R hip strain), Carey Talley (L thigh strain), Raphal Wicky (R ankle surgery), Alex Zotinca (R knee surgery) and defender Shavar Thomas (yellow card accumulation).
*Thomas has been called into the Jamaican National Team for its World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Honduras. He will miss Tuesday’s game against Tauro F.C. in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round and Chivas USA’s game at Toronto Saturday.
Quotable:
*Toronto Coach John Carver on his team’s defending at the end of the game (he blamed goalkeeper Greg Sutton):
“You can’t defend like that. … It was suicide defending. And that’s not good enough. … For me that’s the worst we’ve played since I’ve been here. … I’m absolutely furious.
*On the return game with Chivas USA next Saturday where Carver will have 10 players away on international duty and another two long-term injuries – on an 18-man senior roster:
“We asked the MLS, because we thought it’s an extreme circumstance, if we could postpone the game. They turned us down. … On this occasion I don’t think common sense has prevailed.
“I’m going to have to get kids and put kids in. It’s that embarrassing. I may even have to go get kids who play in amateur teams.
If I’m a fan of Toronto FC, I don’t think I’m getting value for money because I’ve paid good money for my season ticket – we’ve got fantastic support up there – yet we’re not putting the product on the pitch.
“It’s something they have to look at. I don’t think there’s another league in the world that would ask a team to play in these circumstances.”
Preki on the debilitating injuries this season:
“We’re having a tough time putting the same 11 out two weeks in a row. That’s been the biggest problem for us.”
Sacha Kljestan on their position now:
“It’s good for the team. We’re in the playoff spot. It’s ours to lose.
On out-shooting Toronto 20-5, yet having a hard time scoring:
“It’s easy to get frustrated. After the first 15 minutes it should have been 3-0 probably. To be fair they had some early chances too, but we really should have put the game out of reach in the first 20-30 minutes and not left it late like we did.”
On the difference between Tuesday in Panama and Saturday against Toronto:
“Playing at home makes a difference for us. I think our confidence level is a little higher.”
Former Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz, reportedly a transfer target for Chivas USA before he signed with Toronto, on former Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit with whom he reportedly had a rocky relationship:
“I didn’t have any problems with Ruud. Maybe in the beginning it was bad communication. But we spoke about a couple of things and then everything was clear. … It was not good for me to came to L.A. Galaxy for this season.”
Highlights: