In political parlance, the “laugh test” is the method to determine the reality of a proposal or idea, as in if a person laughs when you tell them your solution to a problem, it both unrealistic and ridiculous. &nbsp;A few weeks back on the MLS Talk podcast (<a href="http:\/\/itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/major-league-soccer-talk/id257051047?mt=2&amp;ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">subscribe on iTunes today</a>) I suggested that Chivas USA could make a playoff run, a suggestion that I almost made without&nbsp;chuckling&nbsp;to myself. &nbsp;In fact, if you look at the standings, Chivas is in a position to make a playoff run as they are ten points behind fifth place (and slumping) Vancouver but have four&nbsp;games in hand over both the Whitecaps and Dallas, the two teams ahead of them in the standings. &nbsp;Doing the math, a hot streak could spark the Goats into the playoff conversation and, based on their mid-season acquisitions, that is exactly what the team is aiming to do.
Yet the words “Chivas” and “playoffs” outright fail the laugh test, and the reason why was shown in yesterday’s game. &nbsp;Despite the ability to pick up three valuable points at home the team was run over by the Seattle Sounders. It is certainly no disgrace to fall to Seattle, maybe the second best team in MLS, but it was the way they lost that epitomizes the foolishness of the playoff dreams. &nbsp;Despite mounting a decent comeback after going down 3-0 in the first third of the game, they simply had no answer defensively for Fredy Montero and his teammates. &nbsp;Again, not a disgrace necessarily until you look at the starting XI. &nbsp;Shalrie Joseph started in midfield and while he can play a little offense, he made his name in New England as a defensive presence in front of the back four. &nbsp;Starting center back John Valencia was a heralded international signing and right back James Riley was a veteran presence from… Seattle. &nbsp;Bobby Burling, who was the other starting center back in place of recent acquisition Danny Califf, was another veteran who just looked old in the game.
While schedule congestion plays a role in the sluggish play, the way Chivas has built itself is the real reason this team is failing to live up to a promising off-season. &nbsp;Remember, last season Chivas made a late playoff run and keeper Dan Kennedy was a revelation in net. &nbsp;A playoff push was not out of the picture in the preseason analysis. &nbsp;But instead of looking to build on a system or having &nbsp;a plan (ala Frank Yallop in San Jose), Chivas and Robin Fraser pretended to play Football Manager and grabbed the biggest names out there. &nbsp;Besides the aforementioned Burling, Joseph, and Riley, the Goats has also picked up Juan Agudelo to bolster an absolutely anemic offense. &nbsp;But as you look through the roster and starting XIs, there is little rhyme or reason.
The reality is that in the offseason, Chivas’ management needs to take a hard look at this team and decide how it wants to proceed. &nbsp;The dumping ground for failed designated players and trade partner for recognizable but&nbsp;middling&nbsp;MLS players is a failed system for&nbsp;Chivas&nbsp;and has set them up to be pretty good, but not good enough to be consistently&nbsp;relevant. &nbsp;It beats being, say, Toronto but it is eerily familiar to how other “second city teams” in other sports are viewed, such as the pre-Blake Griffin Clippers. &nbsp;If the Goats are committed to remaining in LA, and there seems to be no suggestion that they are not, they need to build a team that can actually win at the Home Depot Center (where their 2012 goal difference is -13!). &nbsp;With its wide field, the Goats should look not to their cross-city rivals but to the north to San Jose to see how a fast, aggressive teams can succeed in this league and in a unique home venue.

Loss to Seattle Shows Fallacy of Chivas Playoff Hopes - World Soccer Talk

Loss to Seattle Shows Fallacy of Chivas Playoff Hopes

Chivas USA had a new head coach and a new system last season, but after a slow start the team looked to be set in neutral in the competitive Western Conference. &nbsp;However, the acquisition of Juan Pablo Angel and a too late run at a playoff spot gave this team a bit of life and fans a reason for optimism. &nbsp;As the club watched cross-town rivals the Galaxy celebrate with the MLS Cup in their stadium, the future looks mixed for the franchise.
Next up in our 3 Questions series is Chivas USA, a team who has not qualified for the playoffs in two years after a nice run of success to begin the franchise’s history. &nbsp;Is next year the year when they begin a new streak?
1. Is management committed to this team?
The key to this question is who is making the personnel decisions. &nbsp;Chivas decided to pass last season on every big name that came through the allocation process. &nbsp;The speculation was that they were saving their powder for a big signing, and although they took on Juan Pablo Angel from the Galaxy, that big signing never came. &nbsp;<a href="http:\/\/espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/13278/chivas-usa-dieuze-minda-on-the-way" target="_blank">It may come this offseason</a>, but the way the club has gone about building has been confusing.
This offseason so far has not settled those “cheap management” rumors. &nbsp;Losing Zarek Valentin to Montreal in the expansion draft was very confusing considering that he is a young talent, but as noted <a href="http:\/\/www.thegoatparade.com/2011/11/25/2586613/chivatown-post-the-plot-thickens-edition#storyjump" target="_blank">here</a> he was coming off his Generation Adidas and the team might have had to take on his entire contract. &nbsp;If money is the deciding factor on player moves, management has to reconsider the business they are in or begin to realize that good players do cost money.
2. Will “breakouts” Kennedy and Angel carry over into 2012?
To call Juan Pablo Angel a “breakout” is a bit misleading, but Chivas fans haven’t seen that much of a revival since season one of The Walking Dead. &nbsp;After being ineffective for the Galaxy, LA unloaded him on Chivas to make room for Robbie Keane. &nbsp;Angel proceeded to score seven goals in nine appearances for the Goats. &nbsp;Can he do the same in 2012? &nbsp;First the team has to work out compensation: his New York-signed contract paying him $1 million is way&nbsp;too much, so he and the team have to come to an agreement. &nbsp;This is even more critical considering Justin Braun was traded to the Impact.
The other shock of 2012 was keeper Dan Kennedy, who quietly put together one of the best seasons in MLS. &nbsp;I remember seeing him play at DC United this summer and was incredibly impressed with his poise. &nbsp;He has inked a new contract with the team so he will be set as the unquestioned starter in 2012. &nbsp;But as a bright spot for the team last season, can he carry over his form in 2012?
3. Are the newcomers the key to success?
Like New England, Chivas has been replacing some of their departed players with MLS veterans. &nbsp;The club grabbed Arturo Alvarez from RSL in the first stage of the re-entry draft and made trades for midfielder Ryan Smith (Sporting KC) and James Riley (Seattle/Montreal). &nbsp;As I mentioned previously, it looks like there is help coming from overseas but again that is untested talent in MLS (although definitely it is talent). &nbsp;You can argue that injuries and inconsistent play really hurt this team’s chances last year, but the acquisitions to this point don’t seem to address these issues. &nbsp;But like the Revs maybe a few veterans will help with a playoff push.

Goats No More, Or A Bit Longer? Three Questions for Chivas USA - World Soccer Talk

Goats No More, Or A Bit Longer? Three Questions for Chivas USA

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Loss to Seattle Shows Fallacy of Chivas Playoff Hopes

Chivas USA

Goats No More, Or A Bit Longer? Three Questions for Chivas USA