TORONTO FC v CHIVAS USA

1:00pm – BMO Field

TV National – TSN Canada, MLSDK United States

TV Local – Prime Ticket (Chivas)

The Jokes on Who?

April Fools day was not passed over by either of these teams, but only one of these MLS problem clubs were kidding.

Chivas USA unveiled their new “Third Jersey” on Friday, in a wonderful practical joke. And even gave the credit to Jorge Campos for the design. Yikes

For the full, hilarious article, CLICK HERE

North of the border there seemed to be another joke coming out of Toronto.  That was a deal that would send the clubs talismanic leader to New York Red Bulls.  This April Fools news turns out to be true.  Dwayne DeRosario is being shipped to the Big Apple in exchange for Danleigh Borman, Tony Tchani and Red Bulls 2012 Superdraft pick.

What to expect:

Two new managers trying radically different schemes to rebuild MLS franchises, both of which have never contended.  More than the matchup of rebuilding squads, the tactics, approach and long-term strategy of the two new bosses will be worth watching.

More than this long-term test of different styles, these clubs need points and quick, but both managers are struggling to find the squad, starting XI and style that will best suit.  This is an experimental battle.

Both sides are capable of scoring and both sides have ugly defenses.  Javier Martina proved that TFC isn’t inept, but will he suffer with the loss of DeRo?  Chivas is just lost offensively, still struggling for an identity, though with Justin Braun, Alejandro Moreno, Tristan Bowen and Victor Estupinan it’s not hard to see how they get goals, if against the run of play and in losing efforts.  On the defensive side Portland was unfortunate to not score more against TFC last weekend, and Chivas is regularly rotating players in and out due to injury, suspension and call-ups on their backline.  There will be goals.

Fantasy Player Spotlight

Chivas USA: Marcos Mondaini. Watching Chivas USA has become work, but one of the bright spots has been this 26-year-old Argentine.  His crosses in Chivas’ first match were wonderfully accurate, which was a nice balance to Nick LaBrocca’s erratic horror-show crossing in the goats second match. If someone on Chivas decides to get on the end of some of these works of art, the team will succeed and Monaini will start to rack up the assists.

Toronto FC: Javier Martina.  Martina seems to be the epitome of the Winter style player, he may have a breakout season.  If the service is there on Saturday afternoon, Martina could single-handedly demolish an undermanned Chivas defense.

Fantasy X-Factor’s:

Where are Alan Gordon and Tristan Bowen?  Both players were with the Galaxy in 2010.  Will Gordon finally play a role as a late sub this week against a club he spent the pre-season with?  Bowen, a standout Homegrown talent with the Galaxy last year, couldn’t break the starting XI and was sent to the Goats.  It seemed like only a matter of course that he would be starting and scoring for goal starved Chivas.  Instead he is only being used as a late sub.  Regardless of  if Bowen finally gets a full 90 or if he comes on late, he is more than capable of being a difference maker.

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