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Chivas USA-Sounders Preview

Oct 14, 2010 - 9:04 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Chivas USA (8-15-4) at Seattle (13-9-6), 11:00 p.m. EDT

The playoff-bound Seattle Sounders are one of the hottest teams in MLS with four straight wins in league play. Making it five in a row could be a challenge given their next opponent.

The Sounders have never scored in four previous meetings with Chivas USA, but they hope red-hot Sanna Nyassi will end that drought in Friday night's matchup at Qwest Field.

Seattle (13-9-6) clinched its second playoff appearance in as many seasons with a 2-1 victory at Kansas City last Saturday. Nyassi scored for the second time in as many MLS matches - and had both goals in a 2-1 win over Columbus in last Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup final.

"I just want to keep it going. I'm on fire right now scoring four goals in three games and it gives me more confidence," Nyassi said.

That type of confidence may be needed against Chivas USA (8-15-4), the only MLS club Seattle has never beaten. The teams have played to scoreless draws the last two meetings, with Chivas outscoring the Sounders 3-0 in two wins prior to that.

While the Sounders would set a franchise record with a fifth straight victory in MLS play, there's question whether Seattle has incentive to win. A lower playoff seed may result in a shift to the Eastern Conference bracket - and possibly a more favorable matchup in the postseason.

Chivas is still expecting a tough test at Qwest Field, where Seattle is 4-0-2 since a loss to D.C. United on June 10. Chivas has been outscored 9-1 during a four-game road slide.

"Seattle are very good," Chivas midfielder Sal Zizzo said. "They have good attackers and they're solid. They're going to try and play well into the playoffs. It's going to be a good game."

The Sounders tuned up for this game Tuesday with a 3-1 exhibition victory over Chivas of Guadalajara - Chivas USA's parent club. Nyassi scored the final goal for Seattle, which used many of its regulars.

Chivas USA has been eliminated from playoff contention, but it ended a three-game losing streak last Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Toronto FC. Jorge Flores, Jesus Padilla and Rodolfo Espinoza scored second-half goals.

"We're feeling great right now," Zizzo said. "We're playing like we have nothing to lose. We haven't stopped trying at all. Everyone is still going 100 percent."

Chivas will be without forward Alan Gordon, who has received a two-game suspension and $1,000 fine for violent conduct. The MLS said Wednesday that Gordon was punished for actions in the 74th minute against Toronto FC defender Adrian Cann.