Week 25 – Primetime Preview

By: travis | September 10th, 2008

New England v Chivas USA
It’s already Thursday, and that means another sparsely watched game on ESPN2. I’ll hopefully be tuning in to catch the Revs taking on Chivas USA at Foxborough, although it may not be worth it. Check out the injury list from the MLSnet preview:

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION – OUT: FW Adam Cristman (R toe surgery); QUESTIONABLE: FW Kheli Dube (R adductor strain); PROBABLE: MF Steve Ralston (back spasms); FW Kenny Mansally (R ankle sprain); MF Khano Smith (L knee sprain); DF Gary Flood (L ankle sprain); DF Rob Valentino (R knee sprain)
CHIVAS USA — OUT: FW Maykel Galindo (sports hernia surgery); DF Lawson Vaughn (R knee sprain); MF Raphaël Wicky (R ankle surgery); DF Alex Zotinca (R knee surgery); DOUBTFUL: FW Justin Braun (L groin strain); MF Jesse Marsch (fractured jaw); QUESTIONABLE: DF Claudio Suárez (R hip strain); DF Carey Talley (L thigh strain); GK Zach Thornton (L thigh strain)

Obviously this will have a massive affect on the match – even if most of these players get a chance to play, they’ll be nursing an injury or two or three. Both teams have been over committed, not to mention missing international players, thanks to MLS scheduling. But enough of that.

New England is trying to stop the bleeding after a 4-0 pummeling at the hands of the Crew. What they need to do is rest and prepare for a run into the playoffs, although there are no guarantees they will make it in. Matt Reis hasn’t quite maintained his sparkling midseason form, although that can partially be attributed to a ragged defense. Taking a quick look at Chivas shows them holding on for dear life their playoff spot. Ante Razov has been in sparkling form, having a hand in all three goals against Toronto ~~reserves~~ last weekend. To pick this week’s game, I’m flipping a coin. It says Revs win. Go figure.
New England 2-1 Chivas USA