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Chivas USA-Fire Preview

Apr 30, 2010 - 4:52 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Chivas USA (2-3-0) at Chicago (2-2-1), 8:30 p.m. EDT

There may not be too many questions about Andrew Dykstra and the Chicago Fire anymore.

Dykstra looks for his third straight shutout Saturday night when the Fire host Chivas USA, which has yet to score a goal on the road.

Chicago (2-2-1) made the surprising move of releasing popular goalkeeper Jon Busch the week of the season opener, installing the untested Dykstra as the starter. Dykstra allowed five goals in his first three matches.

The goalkeeper and his defense have been much better in back-to-back shutout wins, including last Saturday's 2-0 home victory over Houston. Dykstra made two key saves in a 10-second span in the 56th minute with Chicago holding a one-goal lead.

His opponent in net Saturday is a familiar face to Fire fans. Zach Thornton appeared in over 200 games for Chicago from 1998-2006 and holds numerous franchise records.

The big problem for Chivas USA (2-3-0) has been an offense that has produced a Western Conference-low five goals.

Chivas USA had a surprising outburst last Saturday in a 3-2 win over San Jose as Sacha Kljestan, Justin Braun and substitute Chukwudi Chijindu scored their first goals. That has given the Fire cause for concern.

"They have a number of very good players," midfielder Peter Lowry told the Fire's official website. "(Maykel) Galindo up top is very fast. Sacha's always a threat, he showed it with his goal last weekend.

"We know that they have good players and talent and they're hungry to win games. We know they're going to want to come in here and get a result. We have to match the effort and continue to build our game."

The Fire will be without defender Krzystof Krol, who was ejected last weekend for head-butting Houston's Luis Landin after Landin shoved him. Deris Umanzor could get his first start for Chicago.

Forward Brian McBride was back in the starting lineup for Chicago last weekend after he was used as a substitute the week before in a 2-0 win at D.C. United. McBride and Marco Pappa each have two goals and one assist.

Chivas USA is starting a grueling two-game trip that includes a matchup with New England on Wednesday. The club has been outscored 5-0 in two road losses.

"We're looking to get the maximum points," midfielder Michael Lahoud told Chivas USA's official website. "Any game we go into, we have to adopt the attitude that we're confident in our preparation and we can win."

Chicago won both meetings last season, clinching a playoff berth with a 1-0 victory in the season finale that prevented Chivas USA from having any chance at gaining the top seed in the West.