Returning internationalists, recovering players bode well for Chivas rematch

Returning internationalists, recovering players bode well for Chivas rematch

I'm getting back on the horse — or perhaps the wagon — or perhaps something else entirely — and I'm back here with a match preview. That was rather a long break, even with the international matches and all that. Euro 2012, sure, fine, but I'm a club man at heart, and that's what I want to see. Thankfully, that's what I will get. We'll all get it. Lucky us!

Tomorrow we'll see the first team back in action. We'll be out for a little vengeance or some such — defeat those who have defeated us, you see — but more, we'll be looking to continue our fine MLS form and push on from there. Chivas should present few real problems for us, but they'll be there no doubt. Their addition of Juan Agudelo to their ranks might make them more toothsome in attack, but he's not exactly an unknown quantity. Besides, we deal with promising strikers day-in-day-out — and fully actualized strikers, too — and we don't really end up in trouble too often.

Our chances will be boosted by returning midfielder and official U.S. Men's National Team Late-Game Substitute Kyle Beckerman. His ability to shackle attackers will be essential. On the note of his international performances I must say that I'm rather puzzled by Klinsmann's reluctance to play him. I know, I know — he had three defensive midfielders in there already. Sure. But one or two or maybe even three of those would be better replaced by Beckerman. Defensive he may be, but he's also willing to play simple short passes, to find space, and to make space for his teammates. All things, to my mind, the U.S. needed. Desperately.

Also returning is Nick Rimando, who has been off with the U.S. as well, although he didn't see any action. I suppose that's not too surprising — he's ostensibly the third-choice goalkeeper, although I really suspect he's better than Brad Guzan. Still, to keep him the whole time and not utilize him seems a bit odd. Tim Howard saw plenty of time, and if Guzan was second choice, it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to have a third goalkeeper in the squad — especially if he's not even going to sit on the bench. At any rate, it'll have been a good experience for him, I'm sure, and that he's in full contention for the nationals is well-deserved.

So with those two coming back, we'll be looking a bit stronger, no doubt. Two more have returned, too: Mr. Alvaro Saborio, hat trick scorer extraordinaire (speak not of the level of opponent, because I think that's only a distraction. A hat trick is a hat trick. What, was he supposed to score 8?) and our midfield dynamo, Will Johnson. Both did play quite a bit, so we'll certainly be evaluating their respective fitness levels before making decisions on them. Let's hope they play.

But what are things like on the injury front? Sadly, all is not quiet. Or perhaps it is not sadly, as there have been improvements. When we went into the break, we knew Leone Cruz and Chris Schuler were certainly out and that Javier Morales was seeking further treatment. Luis Gil came home from international duty shortly after (a blow for the kid, no doubt). Further, we had a few small injuries in the squad, but those have largely cleared up. When MLS releases an updated injury list, we'll have more details.

Of those we thought would certainly be out for tomorrow, Javier Morales has made a sudden recovery, having visited another doctor or some such and discovered that his quadriceps strain was the result of something involving his back. A nerve issue or some such. I'm no doctor, but I'm glad they've apparently found the root of the problem — although part of me is a little confused as to why his quad would be in pain when it was his back. The body, though, is an interconnected system. Let's say that's why. (If you are a doctor or physical therapist, do comment and elucidate on this. I'm curious. Or if you just happen to know a lot about this stuff. My knowledge extends to this: "Ouch! That hurts!" or "Ack, my leg, I think I'm dying!" for something rather mundane.)

Some players may have picked up injuries during the long break: Jamison Olave, Jonny Steele and Fabian Espindola all are listed with slight knocks, though that could well change by the end of the day. I'd imagine Jamison Olave will start, as we have two center backs close to fitness (Borlave, who-o-oa). I'd imagine that means Chris Estridge, who has played as a center back for the reserves recently and not looked terrible, will be on the bench if anything should happen, and Chris Wingert has shown before that he can slot in there as well. Fabian Espindola, too, seems likely to play, but if there's a risk it won't be taken, and a decision on Jonny Steele may hinge on a decision on Javier Morales. It's all rather interconnected, isn't it? Hopefully we will be back to a clean bill of health soon, but until then, at least things aren't exactly boring.

Right, 'til tomorrow, when I'll be back with a full-fledged birthday. Oh, and it's the site's first anniversary on Monday, so perhaps I'll have something special prepared for then.