Chivas USA has quietly put together a nice little run of form for the past couple months, going 3-2-4 in their past nine matches. The Vancouver Whitecaps have not fared as well, going 0-5-5 in their past 10, which ultimately led to the firing of coach Teitur Thordarson.
MLS (Mid)Week 12 Preview, Picks: Short-Handed Chivas USA Faces Vancouver Whitecaps
The teams that face off at Home Depot Center on Wednesday could look different from the ones we're accustomed to, though. Chivas USA will be missing Jorge Flores (red-card suspension) and Alejandro Moreno, Simon Elliott and Andrew Boyens (international duty). The Whitecaps will be led by new coach Tom Soehn, who could very well have some changes in mind.
All four of those players have been significant contributors to the Goats’ recent form. Flores and Boyens each scored goals last week, Moreno is tied for the team lead with three goals and Simon Elliott has not been subbed out since breaking into the starting lineup seven matches ago.
The biggest change for the Whitecaps may simply be more of a playmaking focus being placed on Davide Chiumiento, whose use was supposedly one of the points of friction between Thordarson and the front office. Chiumiento leads the Whitecaps with five assists, but hasn't had one in five matches and has been used almost exclusively in wide positions.
Prediction: Whitecaps 1-0.
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