Quick quiz, gang. Name the two best teams in Major League Soccer.
Your first guess is Chivas USA? Correct! At 3-0, the Red-and-White are definitely on top.
That's one. Who's the second?
Seattle? They're also 3-0, but that's not the right answer. What's a "Sounder," anyway?
Chicago or New England are also undefeated at 2-0-1, but that's still wrong.
The answer, of course, is Chivas USA. How, you ask? Check this out.
----------------------------------Dan Kennedy-----------------------------------
Mariano Trujillo----Claudio Suárez-----Bobby Burling-------Ante Jazic
Justin Braun-------Lawson Vaughn----Sasha Victorine----Alecko Eskandarian
------------------Maykel Galindo---------Ante Razov--------------------------
That's the Chivas USA lineup of players who didn't play in yesterday's game due to injury, illness, or fitness. Seven of those 11 have been capped by their national team, one is a former MLS Cup MVP, another is the league's second all-time leading scorer, and one played 178 games for Mexico. It's a powerhouse lineup.
Come early May, when most of these guys are back from injury, Commissioner Don Garber will hold a press conference to announce that 'Chivas USA 2' will start playing in the Eastern Conference, just to balance the destruction over the entire league.
Preki's going to log some serious frequent flyer miles coaching both "The Original" Chivas USA and "The Dos," and will probably have a tough time deciding which bench to sit on during MLS Cup on Nov. 22 in Seattle.
On to the awards!
HOLLYWOOD CORNER Where we remember that Chivas USA plays in Tinseltown's backyard.
Best Actor (the Man of the Match): Atiba Harris
Every once in a while, you see one of those movies where somebody you think is a fringe character turns out to be the most important dude in the whole thing. Think 'The Usual Suspects.' Well, Atiba Harris is Keyser Soze. He was everywhere, making life generally miserable for anyone in his way. A goal, 250 fouls (okay, just five), and a wonderfully executed halftime interview. And like that... he's gone.
Best Supporting Actor (the guy you might not have noticed): Gerson Mayen
Rumor has it that this season is actually just a really elaborate film set, with Mayen starring as a local kid who gets a chance and makes it on the world soccer stage. I hear Jessica Alba is playing the love interest.
'Goal: The Dream Begins' doesn't have anything on this story. Gerson Mayen makes Santiago Muñez look like one of the kids from 'The Big Green.'
The Villain (the person from the match that we love to hate): Andy Iro
Choosing a villain will never be easier. Iro scored Columbus' goal, then had a slide tackle that nearly took Carey Talley's leg clear off his body. How about some subtlety next time, Andy?
Oscar Moment (what you're remember from this game): The Final Whistle Another thing Hollywood and Chivas USA games have in common - a happy ending. After what seemed like an eternity of stoppage time, the referee finally signaled the end of the game, and the Red-and-White continued their best start in team history.
Also, and I just thought of this, 'The Final Whistle' sounds like a totally epic movie - probably set in 1890's Colorado, about two brothers trying to build a tunnel for a train to California, or something. Christian Bale and Eric Bana will star. It'll gross like $460 million.
POWER RANKINGS Where we take a look around the league and see who's in position to take the glory
1) Chivas USA Still on pace for the mythical 30-0-0 season.
2) "The Dos" (Chivas USA 2) Though not at full fitness yet, "The Dos" is still good enough for the second spot. Think when they play "The Original," it'll be called the 'Most Super Clásico'?
14) (TIE) Chicago, New England, Colorado, D.C., Toronto, Salt Lake, Kansas City, San Jose, Columbus, Houston, New York, and Dallas
15) Seattle Sure, you're 3-0, Sounders. But it's a house of cards. I can see that. And you're going to have a really, really demoralizing loss to Preki's men on April 18th at The Home Depot Center.
16) Los Angeles Galaxy Sorry, Galaxy. You can't stop stampeding Goats. But I'll enjoy watching you try this Saturday at The Home Depot Center.
Red-and-White Monday runs each week on cdchivasusa.com. Views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's, and not necessarily those of Chivas USA, Major League Soccer, or their respective websites. Send any questions and comments to the author at ChivasMonday@gmail.com.
