Sounders must brace for Chivas' foul-prone play | Tacoma News Tribune

Chivas leads MLS in fouls committed, and I thought their physical style jolted the Sounders offense in the earlier meeting -- a 2-0 Chivas win.

I asked coach Sigi Schmid about that today before the Sounders flew out to LA.

"They're a team that's very good at killing plays early," he said. "What I mean by 'killing plays early' is if you look like you're about to break, then there happens to be a little nick or a little foul or a little obstruction, and the play stops, and they get behind the ball. That's one reason that they've defended well. They're very good at taking the foul at opportune moments."

I asked him if there's any answer to that.

"There's no real answer to that," he said. "Except the referee maybe has to be a little more aware of what they're doing tactically."

An early look ahead:

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (4-2-5; 17 pts.)

AT CHIVAS USA (7-2-3; 24 pts.)

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.

TV: KONG 6/16.

Radio: 97.3 FM (in Spanish on 1210 AM).

Head to head: Chivas won, 2-0, at home on April 18. Chivas visits Seattle on Sept. 19.

Statistical leaders: For Seattle, G 4 Fredy Montero; A 4 Nate Jaqua; Sh 30 Montero; SOG 8 Montero. For Chivas, G 4 Eduardo Lillingston/Paulo Nagamura; A 4 Gerson Mayen; Sh 22 Lillingston; SOG 10 Sacha Kljestan/Lillingston.

Coach Sigi Schmid scouting report: "(Maykel) Galindo is back up front, so that gives them some pace. … They're very good at taking the foul at opportune moments. … They have a good understanding defensively that makes them tough to break down. And (goalkeeper) Zach Thornton is having a very good year."

Notes: Chivas is the MLS points leader. However, the Red and White is 0-1-2 over the last three games. Seattle has drawn five straight games. … Thornton leads MLS with six shutouts; Keller has the league's lowest goals-against average (0.64). … Chivas leads the league in penalties, while Montero is the individual leader in penalties suffered. … Chivas is without Jonathan Bomstein and Sacha Kljestan due to their duties with the U.S. National Team. Chivas' Jesse Marsch and Seattle's Tyrone Marshall are out due to disciplinary suspensions. Chivas' Atiba Harris and Mariano Truillo and Seattle's Jhon Kennedy Hurtado are one yellow card away from a one-game suspension. … Chivas is coached by former Tacoma Stars standout Preki. Galindo played two seasons with the USL Sounders after defecting from Cuba.

Next: 7:30 June 13, vs. San Jose, Qwest Field.