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Chivas USA-United Preview

May 28, 2010 - 7:28 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Chivas USA (3-6-1) at D.C. (1-8-0), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Chivas USA has been unable to finish off games recently. Closing out MLS-worst D.C. United could be much easier.

With both clubs trying to snap three-game losing streaks, Chivas goes for its third straight victory at RFK Stadium on Saturday night when United look to build on this week's performance in an international friendly.

After falling 1-0 at Columbus on a 90th-minute penalty kick May 15, Chivas (3-6-1) fell 2-1 to Real Salt Lake last Saturday on a score by the defending MLS Cup champs in the 88th minute.

"We have lost our concentration and that has hurt us in these past two results," coach Martin Vasquez told Chivas' official website. "But we have to move forward. We have to continue working hard and learning from our mistakes."

Chivas, which has one goal during its skid, has outscored United 5-0 in its last two visits to the nation's capital. Chivas is 3-0-2 in this matchup since a 2-1 loss at RFK Stadium on May 6, 2007.

Facing a United club that hasn't scored in the last 326 minutes could help Chivas improve that mark.

D.C., which has a league-low three points and four goals, has been shut out in three straight games. United (1-8-0) are 49 minutes shy of tying the franchise-record scoring drought.

"We are putting too much pressure on ourselves because we are not scoring goals," coach Curt Onalfo told United's official website following last Saturday's 2-0 loss at Houston.

The likely return of second-year midfielder Chris Pontius to the starting lineup could help D.C. find the back of the net. Out for more than a month with a hamstring injury, Pontius played the entire second half last Saturday and then had a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over AC Milan in an international friendly.

United also received a boost in that match from Santino Quaranta, who assisted on Pontius' goal in his first action since May 5 due to a staph infection.

"I feel like if we can (move the ball around) against an opponent like AC Milan, we should be able to carry that momentum over to MLS matches," midfielder Clyde Simms said.

Midfielder Brandon Barklage was taken off the field on a stretcher Wednesday and could be out for a while with a left knee injury.

Chivas co-captain Sacha Kljestan should be back in the lineup after failing to make the U.S. World Cup roster. Teammate Jonathan Bornstein was named to the 23-man roster, likely giving Carlos Borja his second straight start.

Bill Hamid is expected back in net for United after being sidelined with a shoulder injury last weekend.