Chivas USA Might Try Burpo in Goal
The long-dormant Chivas USA offense suddenly sparked to life last week on the road against the New York Red Bulls, scoring four goals.
That was the same day the Chivas defense all but took the day off, yielding five goals in a 5-4 Major League Soccer loss that extended the team’s winless streak to five games.
What to do? Coach Bob Bradley’s solution tonight, when Chivas plays host to the Chicago Fire at the Home Depot Center, probably will be to give goalkeeper Brad Guzan a break and start Preston “Stone” Burpo in his place.
“It’s a normal time to think about a change,” Bradley said. “Brad, like all young goalkeepers, is still learning. Sometimes we ask a lot of him.”
Bradley said he might let Guzan “have a breather and regroup” tonight.
The 21-year-old keeper has played every minute of every match this season, earning two shutouts.
He had a 1.4 goals-against average before the Red Bulls game.
“We brought Preston here in the first place believing he could help,” Bradley said of Burpo, who has been starting in goal for the Chivas reserve team.
Tonight would be Burpo’s MLS debut. The 33-year-old spent nine seasons with the Seattle Sounders of the United Soccer League’s first division before being signed by Chivas USA in March.
Bradley is contemplating other changes, most likely in the defense.
“I was saying to someone yesterday that we go through the first four games and we give up only four goals and we have two shutouts,” he said. “And now we play the last two games and we give up eight goals.
“The frustrating part is I don’t think we’ve given up too many chances in these two games, and yet it seems as though every chance has gone in.”
The players say that the team is better than its 1-4-1 record.
“There’s a mix” of emotions, Bradley said. “There’s an anger at the feeling that we’ve let points slip away. There’s an anger at the fact that as a team they know that we’re better, and yet we haven’t shown it with results.
“But there’s still a confidence that says, ‘Look, if we stick to it, we’re going to be a good team.’ ”
TONIGHT
vs. Chicago, 8, FSN Prime Ticket
Site -- Home Depot Center.
Radio -- 1020.
Records -- Chivas USA 1-4-1, Fire 2-1-4.
Record vs. Fire (2005) -- 0-2-0.
Update -- This is the Fire’s second visit to Carson this season, having tied the Galaxy, 1-1, on April 8. It is also the eighth of an MLS-record nine consecutive games on the road for Chicago, which is unbeaten in its last six. The Fire plays the first game at its new stadium in Bridgeview, Ill., on June 11, with the official opening set for June 25. Chicago will be without defender Jim Curtin (foot fracture), midfielders Diego Gutierrez (hamstring strain) and Justin Mapp (facial fracture), and possibly minus defender C.J. Brown (neck sprain).
Tickets -- (877) 244-8271 and (310) 630-4581.
