In 2009, Chivas USA played 11 games before they had conceded six total goals. The Goats posted six shutouts during that stretch and didn’t allow more than one goal in a game until May 23. They boasted an impressive .54 goals-against average through week 11.
This season, however, the Red-and-White have already tallied six notches in the goals-allowed column. They’ve conceded multiple goals in three of their first four matches and currently own a goals-against average of 1.5.
What’s happening? Has the stalwart Chivas USA defense come undone?
No, insists Red-and-White defender Mariano Trujillo.
“As a defense, we’re not playing badly,” said the veteran right-back after practice on Tuesday. “The other teams have just been really accurate. They’ve had just two or three chances, but they’re scoring one and sometimes two. They’re playing well against us.”
There is certainly some truth to Trujillo’s words. Chivas have only allowed nine shots on net through four games, but opposing squads have been impressively lethal with their limited opportunities. The Red-and-White’s first four opponents—Colorado, Los Angeles, New York and Houston—combined for a staggering 66 percent conversion rate on shots on net vs. goals made.
Last season, on the other hand, Chivas USA’s opponents were far less accurate with their efforts. The Red-and-White’s first four opponents in 2009—Colorado, Dallas, Columbus and Los Angeles—combined for a much lower 18 percent conversion rate on shots on net vs. goals made.
But not all of the Goats’ lack of success so far this season may be attributed to the unusually high conversion rate of their opponents. The team still has improvements to make.
“Obviously we have to improve on a lot of parts of our game,” Trujillo said. “I’d like to improve our possession with the ball. We can defend, but you cannot defend for 90 minutes. That’s what happened in the last game. We were defending too much. If we can defend with the ball at our feet by attacking the other team, it will be better for us.”
That being said, Trujillo remains confident in the Chivas USA defense and its ability to improve over the coming weeks.
“I think we have good communication,” Trujillo said. “Michael and Darío have been on the [Costa Rica] national team together and they have good quality. We all know each other well and we continue to get better.”
