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Chivas USA-Red Bulls Preview

Jun 4, 2010 - 7:44 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chivas USA (3-7-1) at New York (6-5-0), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The New York Red Bulls were shut out by Chivas USA in April, but it may not be that difficult to stay off the scoresheet in the rematch.

Led by surging Juan Pablo Angel, the Red Bulls on Saturday night will play host to Chivas, which must play without suspended goalkeeper Zach Thornton.

After winning its first two games, New York fell 2-0 to Chivas on April 10. The Red Bulls rebounded to win their next three, but dropped the next four before a 2-1 win over Houston on Wednesday.

Angel scored with seconds remaining in stoppage time for his sixth goal of the season. He's found the back of the net in each of the last two games, but will not have to face Thornton while trying to extend his streak.

Thornton, the 2009 MLS goalkeeper of the year, was red-carded in the 90th minute of a 3-2 loss to D.C. United on Saturday, drawing an automatic one-game suspension.

Dan Kennedy is expected to get the start in Thornton's place. Kennedy, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, started the first two games this year, but has sidelined since early May with a strained hamstring.

"We had set this game as a goal (to return) three weeks ago," Kennedy told Chivas' official website. "It's funny how the timing works out sometimes."

Kennedy will try to help Chivas (3-7-1) snap a four-game losing streak in which the club has been outscored 8-3.

Last Saturday, United scored in stoppage time on a penalty kick against defender-turned-goalkeeper Dario Delgado, who stepped in after Thornton was sent off after taking down striker Santino Quaranta in the penalty area.

It was another tough late defeat for Chivas, which lost to Real Salt Lake the week before on a goal in the 89th minute and on May 15 to Columbus on a penalty kick in the 90th minute.

"Obviously, it's very disappointing," said striker Justin Braun. "It stinks giving up those late goals. It's three weeks in a row now. That's something we can't keep allowing. You can't win games if you keep allowing late goals. We need to do whatever we can to stop this."

Chivas' recent struggles have dropped it into last place in the Western Conference.

New York (6-5-0), meanwhile, is in second place in the East, three points behind Columbus.

Chivas won its last road game against the Red Bulls, 2-0 on Aug. 15.