Chivas USA will host FC Dallas at the StubHub Center on Sunday, August 3rd at 10 pm EDT. Chivas USA currently sit in 8th place in the Western Conference on 23 points, while FC Dallas sit seven points and three places above them in 5th place in the West.
FC Dallas comes into this game in far better form as they are unbeaten in their last six with 12 points. Although they've scored the third most goals in MLS this year with 34, they've also conceded 31. Manager Oscar Pareja has found it difficult to sort out the defensive deficiencies, and their problems have been further compounded by the extensive suspensions suffered by the club this year.
Chivas USA come into this game in far worse fettle than they would have expected. After their run of four straight wins that put them into the playoff discussion, they've suffered two heavy defeats in a row: 3-1 - DC United and 3-0 - Colorado Rapids. If they are to get out of this poor run of form, it will be almost entirely reliant on the play of star striker Erick "Cubo" Torres. Torres is second in the race for the MLS Golden Boot award with 14 goals this season, and was nominated for MLS July Player of the Month honors.
Prediction: Chivas USA 2 FC Dallas 1.
Although FC Dallas enter this game in fine fettle, this writer likes the odds for Chivas to right the ship in tomorrow's encounter. In spite of having lost two straight, this writer thinks the friendly confines of StubHub Center should prove critical to them. Torres to score a brace, with one goal coming either side of a Blas Perez equalizer.