2007 Preview - Chivas USA

2006 record: 10-9-13 - 43 pts (3rd in West)
-- Lost to Houston in MLS Cup quarterfinals.

Key additions: Amado Guevara (Red Bull New York)
Key losses: Juan Francisco Palencia (UNAM Pumas), Juan Pablo Garcia (Tigres), Bob Bradley (USMNT)

Rebounding from being the worst team in MLS in 2005, Chivas USA finished a respectable third in the Western Conference in 2006, behind strong play from rookies Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan and veteran striker Ante Razov. Joining them for the '07 campaign is former MVP Amado Guevara, swapped from Red Bull New York for Chivas' DP slot. The Honduran midfielder ended the 2006 regular season with a hat trick that sent his team into the playoffs and could regain his MVP-form

Despite his addition, the team will have to make up for the loss of Juan Pablo Garcia and Juan Francisco Palencia, who both opted to go back to Mexico to gain more national team exposure.

Even greater than the loss of those two, Chivas USA begins 2007 with a new head coach, Preki, as former head coach Bob Bradley is currently doing a bang-up job with the U.S. Men's National Team. There is a solid core of key players on the squad, but with an aging Claudio Suarez (38) anchoring the defense, keeper Brad Guzan will be tested often and will also have to fend off Preston Burpo for his starting spot.

On the bright side, people are already mentioning John Cunliffe as a potential rookie-of-the-year candidate, an honor won by Chivas' Bornstein last year.

TJ's projected finish: 4th in Western Conference, 6th overall.