1. Match their work rate
WATCH: Pressure pays off for Chivas USA
This Chivas team under coach Chelis are still finding their feet, yet they’re still picking up valuable points at the same time.
The one thing they have shown early on in their season is a willingness to pressure the ball all over the field and create many turnovers.
The tempo could still be increasing as Chivas is coming off a 4-1 victory in Chicago, which made them the highest scoring team in MLS. This recent momentum is sure to give this team even more confidence.
Chelis has built some good chemistry and has his team working at a high level, so we cannot afford to be outworked if we want to get a positive result against the Goats.
2. Juan Agudelo
WATCH: Agudelo scores against Chicago
Agudelo is coming of an MLS Player of the Week performance in which he scored once and assisted on two other goals.
The young American international is fast and very strong on the ball, and while head coach Martin Rennie will not have his team focusing on one player, it would be wise to know where he is at all times.
Still only 20-years-old, Agudelo was touted as one of the best prospects in the league when he was playing for New York Red Bulls and the United States national team, and now it seems that he is reaching that potential and playing at a high level.
On Saturday, Chivas was outshot by Chicago 19 to 9, but it was the passing and deadly finishing in the final third from Agudelo and his teammates that made the difference.
3. Exploit the 3-4-3
WATCH: Chicago gets Chivas chasing
It is rare to play against a three-man defence, but that is what our ‘Caps will be up against on the weekend.
The system does allow for Chivas to pressure the ball high up the field and at times create a number of dangerous turnovers in the opposition’s end.
To break the system, the ‘Caps will have to move the ball quickly and exploit the gaps in behind the wingbacks as they push up. The three defenders will be preoccupied by protecting the middle and will not want to be dragged out wide, which will leave space on the flanks behind the midfield four.
If we're able to get them chasing and take advantage of the space that opens up, we will find ourselves with some fine goalscoring opportunities.
