• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Chivas USA-Rapids Preview

Aug 7, 2009 - 7:20 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Chivas USA (8-6-3) at Colorado (7-6-6), 9:30 p.m. EDT

With the club's leading goal scorer likely back in the lineup, the Colorado Rapids look to bounce back from their second home loss this season.

Facing a slumping Chivas USA team that may be without its All-Star goalkeeper could increase the Rapids' chances Saturday night at Dick's Stadium.

Conor Casey, who has a team-leading eight goals, is expected to return to Colorado's lineup for the first time since a 3-1 loss at DC United on July 18. The striker missed the Rapids' 4-0 win over New York on July 25 due to yellow-card accumulation, and was a late scratch before Saturday's 1-0 loss to visiting Columbus after suffering a left thigh sprain in the All-Star game July 29.

"I noticed (the injury) kind of late, after the game," Casey told the Rapids' official Web site. "I don't think it's that bad."

Colorado (7-6-6), which had won two straight at home, was shut out there Saturday for the first time since a 1-0 loss to Toronto FC on Aug. 9 despite outshooting the defending MLS Cup champion Crew 16-5.

"It was unfortunate that we couldn't convert our chances," striker Omar Cummings said after the Rapids fell to 5-2-3 at home. "That's the way the game goes. If you don't convert those chances, you lose."

Colorado, though, faces a Chivas USA club that has lost four straight matches, and possibly its goalkeeper. Zach Thornton, second in MLS with a 0.88 goals-against average and seven shutouts, strained his right quad in the All-Star game and is questionable Saturday.

Lance Parker could make his MLS debut if Thornton can't go.

"I'm pretty excited about it all," Parker told Chivas' official Web site. "I'm a little nervous, but that's good. It keeps me on my toes."

With only one goal during its losing streak, Chivas USA (8-6-3) needs a solid effort in goal if it is going to prevent Colorado from moving past it in the Western Conference standings.

In its last match, Chivas lost 2-0 at New England on July 19 when it was shut out for the second straight week and third time in four games.

"That's been our story in the last month and a half - we can't score goals," said Chivas coach Preki. "We have to find a way to get the forwards around the goal to be better - we can't just encourage them to go forward."

Preki's club is tied with the Revolution for the second-fewest goals (19) in the league in 2009.

Chivas will try to improve its ranking as it faces Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens, who has a 1.27 goals-against average.

Chivas midfielder Paulo Nagamura scored two second-half goals in a 2-1 victory over visiting Colorado on March 21, but he will be unavailable Saturday due to yellow-card accumulation.

Rapids defender Ugo Ihemelu will be sidelined Saturday after receiving a red card versus Columbus.

Chivas defeated the Rapids 2-1 on May 24, 2008, in its last visit to Colorado.