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Earthquakes-Chivas USA Preview

Apr 23, 2010 - 4:30 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

San Jose (2-1-0) at Chivas USA (1-3-0), 10:30 p.m. EDT

Back-to-back wins have the San Jose Earthquakes feeling good, but they could be without their leading scorer when they try to make it three in a row.

The Earthquakes may have to make do without defender Ike Opara on Saturday night when they visit struggling Chivas USA.

San Jose (2-1-0) has bounced back from a dismal performance in a season-opening 3-0 loss to defending MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake on March 27. Opara has scored in each victory, including a header for the final goal in last Saturday's 2-0 win over New England.

It's been a bit of a juggling act for Opara, who has been taking classes during the week at Wake Forest. That hasn't been a problem to this point, but the semester is ending and his priorities may be with his schoolwork.

"It's been a whirlwind, but I've been enjoying it," Opara told the Earthquakes' official website. "I've done well so far; this has really been my first conflict coming up."

His absence would also hurt a defense that has come together since the opening loss. Joe Cannon recorded his first shutout last week.

"I think the most important part about tonight was seeing the team work extremely hard together and I think the team did that in front of me," Cannon said. "I am proud of the effort."

That defense may not be tested against a Chivas USA attack that is tied for the worst in the league. Chivas USA's two goals match D.C United for the lowest total in MLS.

A 3-0 loss at Houston last Saturday marked the third time in four matches that Chivas USA (1-3-0) failed to score.

"Obviously we have to improve on a lot of parts of our game," defender Mariano Trujillo told Chivas USA's official website. "I'd like to improve our possession with the ball. We can defend, but you cannot defend for 90 minutes."

Midfielder Jesus Padilla is the only Chivas USA player to score this season, with the other tally coming on an own goal. Sacha Kljestan and Salvadoran newcomer Osael Romero have not looked dangerous through four matches.

Chivas USA, however, played well against San Jose last season with a win and a draw as Justin Braun scored in both matches. The Earthquakes have lost three and drawn two in the last five matchups.

"We're trying to keep our heads up and just try to take it a game at a time," Braun said. "Hopefully we can come out and start having some better chemistry on the field and get the three points."