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Sounders travel to struggling Chivas

Sep 2, 2014 - 9:42 PM Carson, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Seattle Sounders FC will be out to continue its good run of form on Wednesday when the club travels to the StubHub Center to face a struggling Chivas USA side.

The Sounders have their sights set on hoisting the MLS Supporters' Shield, and their position at the summit of the overall MLS table looks likely to help them accomplish that feat.

Seattle enters the weekend on 48 points, just two points clear of the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United in the race for the Supporters' Shield. Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid underlined his desire to take maximum points from Wednesday's clash with the Goats.

"We want to be the first to get to 50 points. We've just got to go in with the right mentality and the right approach. We can't let down," Schmid told the club's official website. "There are a lot of teams that are continuing to do well. We've just got to continue to keep the pressure on them, that if they want to catch us, they've got to keep winning because we're going to keep winning."

Seattle hit a rough patch one month ago, dropping three league games in four outings. But the Sounders have responded well, taking seven points from their last three contests.

Chivas, meanwhile, has not been so fortunate.

The Goats are winless in their last seven league games, collecting just a point from a scoreless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC over that stretch.

To make matters worse, Chivas has not scored a goal in league play since its loss to D.C. United on July 20.

The club managed to bring in Nigel Reo-Coker in an effort to add some punch to its attack, but the Englishman's debut was far from stellar as the Goats suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to the Galaxy in Sunday's Super Clasico.

Still, the 30-year-old is optimistic that he can help Chivas right the ship.

"It was great, it was fantastic to be involved," Reo-Coker said. "First game in a long time, there's been a lot of traveling going on behind closed doors but it was a great experience. Just after that performance, I think I just needed that one game. I thought we played really well as a team. We can take a lot of positives from that. In my personal belief, I just feel that there is only one way for us to go and that's up."

Wednesday's meeting with Seattle will be Chivas USA's first of five league contests in September, but Reo-Coker believes that the rapid-fire slate will help the club stay sharp.

"In the situation we're in right now, it's the best thing that we can want, games coming thick and fast," Reo-Coker continued. "We can't dwell on this game, this game is over now. We need to take the positives and concentrate for the next game. It's the best position to be in right now. With so many games coming, it gives us an opportunity to put the game right."