Monumental opportunity at hand for Chivas USA

Chivas USA, for so long considered LA's 2nd MLS franchise, have the opportunity Wednesday night to step into the limelight alone and establish themselves as the unquestioned top dog in the MLS. The Houston Dynamo, #2 in the West, host the MLS' best team in a primetime match up with huge implications. The game will be a contest between #1 and #2 in almost every aspect of the game. For Houston, it is a chance to keep Chivas close in the standings, but for Chivas it is an opportunity to pull away from the pack and solidify their claim to #1.

The importance of this game, of this season, is monumental to Chivas USA. In the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, Chivas have often had to play 2nd fiddle to the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Galaxy, with international stars like Landon Donovan and David Beckham, have for so long been the favorites of LA's soccer crowd. In the past Chivas were even treated like guests or renters at the Home Depot Center, but all that is changing. The Galaxy, for all their star power, are floundering while Chivas are beginning to rise under the steady leadership of their head coach Preki Radosavljevic. Chivas USA are building off successful seasons in the past few years and now find themselves atop the MLS with a chance to stretch their lead to a very comfortable margin.

Wednesday night's clash in Houston will feature of battle between the leagues' best defensive units. Chivas boast the MLS' best record at 8-2-3 and with 27pts are 6 ahead of the Houston Dynamo in the West, and Chicago Fire in the East who both have 21pts. For either team to win, someone is going to have to find a weakness in pair of very stout defensive groups. Houston boasts the league's best defense and goalie. Houston's defense has allowed a stingy 7 goals against this season, only 2 of those allowed at home. Houston goalie Pat Onstad has been nothing short of miraculous in net this season as he leads the MLS in Goals Against at 7, Goals Against Average at .64/game, and is 2nd in shutouts with 6.

Chivas aren't exactly slouches on defense though. The Chivas' defense is 2nd in the MLS having allowed 9 goals, only 2 of those coming on the road. Goalie Zach Thornton is having a fantastic season as well. Thornton has faced the most shots in the MLS, is 2nd in GA at 9, his GAA is 3rd best at .69, and he leads the MLS in shutouts with 7. In order for someone to come out on top in this game, they are going to need to find away to break through these stingy defenses.

A victory Wednesday night for the Houston Dynamo will mean a lot. The Dynamo have shrugged off a slow start to win 6 of their last 7 games including their last 3 in a row to bolt up in the standings to within 6pts of Chivas USA. For Chivas, a win would put them 9pts clear in the West, and keep them at least 6pts clear of the Chicago Fire in the East (who play DC United Saturday in a big Eastern conference tilt). Everything seems to be in place for Chivas USA to put together a magical season. They've got the defense necessary to hold their opponents in check, and with a balanced offense led by Eduardo Lillingston they have a chance to go far this season and establish themselves as one of MLS' top clubs.

Expect a hard fought contest from these two defensive squads. If you are looking for a high scoring affair you may not want to tune in. This game may very well be decided by just one goal, and that one goal can shape the rest of the MLS season.