Sacha Kljestan

When Chivas USA lost both of its captains in a matter of weeks, the players could have panicked. Instead, after watching defender Jonathan Bornstein depart for the World Cup and midfielder Sacha Kljestan sign with Anderlecht in Belgium, other leaders stepped up. "We were worried a little bit because they were our leaders, but we have experienced players," said defender Mariano Trujillo, who assumed the captain's role for Chivas' June 12...

Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan, who is battling bronchitis, withdrew Sunday from the U.S. national team ahead of its friendly Wednesday in Italy. Donovan, the U.S. team's all-time leader in goals and assists, also sat out two dates with the U.S. team in the fall while preparing for the MLS Cup final, which the Galaxy won, 1-0, on a goal by Donovan. Donovan, who had been playing the past two months with Everton of the English Premier League, sat out his last game there because of illness and has not trained with the Galaxy since returning from Europe.

AT COLUMBUS When: 4:30 PDT. Where: Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio. On the air: TV: Prime Ticket and KWHY. Radio: 690. Records: Chivas USA 3-4-1; Crew 3-0-2. Update: The teams split a pair of games in 2009, and Chivas USA will be trying not only to rebound from a home loss to Houston but also to give a winning sendoff to defender Jonathan Bornstein and midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who will leave after Saturday's game to join the U.S. team preparing for next month's World Cup in South Africa.

Freddy Adu, a onetime child star who flamed out almost as quickly as he ascended to top of the U.S. soccer scene, is getting another second chance. Adu, an attacking midfielder, was one of 23 players named Monday to the U.S. national team for next month's friendly with World Cup champion Spain, followed by the 12-nation CONCACAF Gold Cup. "He's a player that certainly we all know at different times has shown some soccer abilities that are special," U.S. Coach Bob Bradley said.

It was a new-look Chivas USA team that took the field at the Home Depot Center on Saturday night. Brazilian striker Maicon Santos and Mexican midfielder Jesus Padilla made their Major League Soccer debuts, and goalkeeper Lance Parker made a rare appearance in the nets in place of injured starter Zach Thornton. But it was a fan favorite who had been out of sorts most of the season who led the way for Chivas. Sacha Kljestan, the U.S. national team midfielder who has struggled to find his form all year, suddenly rediscovered it. Goals in the 32nd and 51st minutes by Kljestan powered Chivas to a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC and back into the thick of the Western Conference playoff race.

at New England, 4 p.m. PDT, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes Site -- Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. Radio -- 690. Records -- Chivas USA 8-9-6; Revolution 11-7-5. Record vs. Revolution -- 0-1-0. Update -- Coming off consecutive victories over Toronto, Chivas USA is in third place in the Western Conference and faces a New England team that is in a mini-slump. The Revolution has gone 1-3-2 in MLS play since winning the SuperLiga tournament and has dropped from first place to third in the Eastern Conference.

vs. Tauro FC, 7, FSC, Galavision Site -- Home Depot Center. Competition -- Preliminary round, CONCACAF Champions League. Update -- Tonight's game is the second leg of a home-and-home, total-goals series in the newly created CONCACAF Champions League. Chivas USA was shut out, 2-0, in Panama City in the first leg last Tuesday, with Tauro FC's Edwin Aguilar scoring both goals. To advance, Chivas USA has to win by three clear goals or force a penalty-kick shootout. Any goal that Tauro scores in Carson will count double under the away-goals rule.

Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan, who is battling bronchitis, withdrew Sunday from the U.S. national team ahead of its friendly Wednesday in Italy. Donovan, the U.S. team's all-time leader in goals and assists, also sat out two dates with the U.S. team in the fall while preparing for the MLS Cup final, which the Galaxy won, 1-0, on a goal by Donovan. Donovan, who had been playing the past two months with Everton of the English Premier League, sat out his last game there because of illness and has not trained with the Galaxy since returning from Europe.

Freddy Adu, a onetime child star who flamed out almost as quickly as he ascended to top of the U.S. soccer scene, is getting another second chance. Adu, an attacking midfielder, was one of 23 players named Monday to the U.S. national team for next month's friendly with World Cup champion Spain, followed by the 12-nation CONCACAF Gold Cup. "He's a player that certainly we all know at different times has shown some soccer abilities that are special," U.S. Coach Bob Bradley said.

Tired of the almost daily soap opera that is David Beckham? Weary, already, of the prospect of another Beckham-dominated Galaxy season? Want a complete change of scenery and direction? Well, the choice is there this year. It arrived back in Southern California last week in the shape of Robin Fraser and Greg Vanney, who were named coach and assistant coach, respectively, of Chivas USA. At first glance, it would appear to be a poor move by the two former Galaxy defenders.

When Chivas USA lost both of its captains in a matter of weeks, the players could have panicked. Instead, after watching defender Jonathan Bornstein depart for the World Cup and midfielder Sacha Kljestan sign with Anderlecht in Belgium, other leaders stepped up. "We were worried a little bit because they were our leaders, but we have experienced players," said defender Mariano Trujillo, who assumed the captain's role for Chivas' June 12...

CHIVAS USA TONIGHT Who: Real Salt Lake. When: 7:30. Where: Home Depot Center. On the air: TV: Prime Ticket, Channel 22. Radio: 690. Records: Chivas USA 3-5-1, Real 4-3-1. Record vs. Real (2009): 1-1. Update: With defender Jonathan Bornstein and midfielder Sacha Kljestan away with the U.S. national team as it prepares for the World Cup, this is hardly the best time for slumping Chivas to play the defending league champion.

It was evident in the fist-pumping reaction of forward Brian Ching. Plenty of emotion there. It was obvious in the delirious, arms-spread-wide run to the sideline by midfielder Sacha Kljestan. All sorts of relief there. Wednesday night's 2-1 international soccer victory over El Salvador in Tampa, Fla., was more than a game for the U.S. players. It was about keeping alive the dream of being on the plane when the team heads to the World Cup in June. Ching's tying goal in the 75th minute and Kljestan's winning goal in the second minute of injury time very well could have secured the two a trip to South Africa.

The 2009 Major League Soccer season has been inked into the record books, the final entry written in the claret red, cobalt blue and real gold colors of new champion Real Salt Lake. For the Galaxy and Chivas USA, meanwhile, the time has come to look ahead, not back. The year ended in frustration for Chivas USA, which is in the hunt for a new coach. Preki's departure this month to take charge of Toronto FC was understandable. He had taken Chivas to the playoffs in each of his three years but had failed to get it past the first round each time.