Chivas USA ended their preseason training with a tough 2-2 draw against the Houston Dynamo at The Home Depot Center on Friday night. Goals from Atiba Harris and Shavar Thomas twice put the Red-and-White into the lead, but each time they saw the visitors respond with equalizing goals.
While not a perfect result, Chivas USA head coach Preki was happy with the play of his team. A strong performance from yet another set of defenders -- Preki has continually changed his backline throughout the preseason -- did well to hold Houston, and another appearance for Maykel Galindo will only help the recovering striker gain confidence on his road back to match fitness.
"We just want to be patient with our guys and try to continue to get them back on the field," said Preki. "Hopefully, in the meantime, we'll play good soccer."
Much of Chivas USA's offensive firepower came from second-year forward Justin Braun, who kept the visitors on their toes all night. Assisting on one goal and helping create the other, the Utah native was all over the place for the Red-and-White.
"It was a good game for him," said Preki. "The pace was very fast and he was working nonstop."
Braun's assist came on Chivas USA's first goal, just before halftime, when he slotted a nice through ball to Atiba Harris. Harris, who was playing his first game minutes of the preseason, hit a low shot that slipped past Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad.
"I'm just happy to be back playing, being able to contribute to the team," said Harris. "I'm not 100 percent yet, but I'm getting there. Hopefully, I'll be ready for next week."
The St. Kitts international played 66 minutes on the right flank, a position that might end up becoming his own. Naturally a striker, Harris has no problems adapting to a new position.
"I'm a soccer player," he said. "I'll play wherever the coach puts me."
Fellow Caribbean native Shavar Thomas provided Chivas USA's other goal by way of a towering header from a Carey Talley corner kick.
"I'd been working on getting free from my defender and trying to block for our other guys," said Thomas. "But tonight I got free on one and I did the job."
The Jamaican did a good job organizing a back line that was a bit makeshift in the absence of Ante Jazic. Usual right back Carey Talley shifted into the middle with Thomas while trialist and Mexican Primera Division veteran Mariano Trujillo patrolled the right side.
"There are a lot of new faces," said Thomas, "But you need to work together and just deal with what we have. The new guys are doing their part."
The Red-and-White now have their sights squarely focused on next Saturday's season opener against Colorado. And after their performance against Houston, the players have high expectations about their home opener.
"It should be three points," said Harris. "That's all."
Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
