MLS: DEFEAT RAISES ANTE CHIVAS VULNERABLE WITHOUT VET RAZOV COLORADO 2, CHIVAS USA 1.

Byline: BILLY WITZ

Staff Writer

CARSON -- Chivas USA forward Ante Razov, who suffered a sprained knee ligament Thursday, learned this weekend that he'll be out four to six weeks, meaning he might be able to return in time for the MLS Cup in five weeks.

Of increasing concern is whether Chivas will get there.

After looking like the class of the Western Conference most of the summer with a defense that had cleaned up its mistakes and a quick-passing, attack brand of soccer, Chivas continued to showcase its vulnerabilities Sunday in a 2-1 loss to Colorado at Home Depot Center.

The Rapids handed Chivas their first home loss of the season, and did it by scoring both goals -- including the 90th-minute winning goal by Omar Cummings -- while playing with 10 men.

Chivas, which missed a chance to clinch first place in the Western Division, has won just once in its past four games. After Sunday's performance, questions about whether it can overcome the loss of Razov, who has 11 goals and eight assists, won't be going away.

John Cunliffe, who replaced Razov, struggled to hold the ball and was largely absent before being replaced by Galaxy castoff Laurent Merlin, a slight improvement. Still, neither presents the threat of Razov, who is MLS' second all-time leading goal scorer, nor did they display the chemistry he'd developed this season with strike partner Maykel Galindo.

"They're definitely going to miss (Razov) a lot," said Colorado coach Fernando Clavijo, whose team stayed alive in the playoff chase with the win. "Galindo's still a new young player in the league. Ante Razov has a reputation -- he complements extremely well with Galindo. He's a guy who likes to come in and bring defenders with him and allow more room for Galindo to run into spaces.

"There's no question about it. You cannot go into the playoffs missing a guy like that and not feel it. It's going to be a big blow for them."

Chivas played with a man advantage after Colorado defender Brandon Prideux was red-carded for a tackle from behind on Galindo's breakaway in the 46th minute and they managed a season-high 22shots. But only half were on goal, and several of those were thwarted by terrific saves from Colorado goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul.

"From the first moment, I had a feeling about this game," Chivas coach Preki said. "I knew we were the better team and chances will come, but will we put our chances away? I knew if we scored first, it's the type of game where we could score three or four. It was one of those frustrating days."

Chivas could be in for more of the same in the playoffs. Colorado, Chicago and the Galaxy -- all of whom could be first-round opponents -- all like to play for the counterattack, which Chivas was burned for Sunday.

Former Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu, left unmarked, knocked in a loose ball in the box in the 64th minute to put Colorado ahead 1-0. But Chivas drew even in the 78th minute when Sacha Kljestan's delicate chip hit streaking defender Orlando Perez in stride, and he put the ball past Coundoul.

While Colorado's playoff hopes would have ended without a win, it was Chivas that pushed forward in the final 10 minutes, looking for the goal that would have clinched the Western Conference title.

Instead, on a counterattack, Conor Casey outmuscled Shavar Thomas for a ball down the left flank and carried it to the goal before sending it across the goalmouth where a streaking Cummings knocked it into the net.

Preki, who wasn't pleased with the officiating, said the way his team's recent form doesn't really concern him, and he bristled slightly at questions about Razov's absence.

"Right now, we're not going to have Ante, so why talk about Ante when we don't have him?" Preki said. "When we have him, it's a different story. Right now, we've got to find a way to score goals without him. We had plenty of opportunities. As a coach, I would be worried if we didn't create any chances. But when you create them, it's disappointing when you don't put them away."

Also: Chivas USA goalkeeper left Sunday evening for Switzerland after being called into the United States squad for its friendly Wednesday against Switzerland. Guzan, now the fourth goalkeeper on the roster, and New England forward Taylor Twellman were late additions. Guzan is expected to return from Basil on Thursday and be available for Chivas' game Saturday with Houston, which could determine first place in the Western Conference.

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ANTE RAZOV

Chivas USA forward will out four to six weeks with a sprained knee ligament.