Chivas USA is the MLS' only winless team, but since first-year coach Robin Fraser made a switch in goal, the club appears to be headed in the right direction.
Goalie Dan Kennedy looks to help Chivas pick up that elusive first victory Saturday night when it visits a Vancouver Whitecaps team that hasn't won since its MLS debut.
After going with 15-year MLS veteran Zach Thornton in goal to open the season, Fraser has turned to Kennedy, who appears to be close to full strength after suffering a torn biceps tendon suffered last August.
Kennedy, who missed some of the preseason, finished with two saves in last Saturday's scoreless draw with Columbus to earn his first shutout since Oct. 11, 2008, against San Jose.
Kennedy has stopped three of four shots on the season to lead Chivas (0-2-2) to consecutive draws after Thornton allowed four goals on seven shots in losing the first two.
"(Kennedy has) had a run of games because he's been pretty good," Fraser told Chivas' official website. "Would I say that he's No. 1? At the moment yes, because he's the one that's starting, but I think there is a healthy competition between goalkeepers right now."
While Fraser's team is playing much better defensively, it still needs to generate more scoring opportunities.
Chivas, off to its worst start since beginning its expansion 2005 season 0-4-1, didn't record a single shot on goal against the Crew, and has just one score in its last three matches.
"We will continue to work and we will continue to get better," Fraser said. "No team has outplayed us yet, we've been in every game. I think it's just a matter of getting things clicking."
Vancouver's offense has also been slumping a bit - scoring just once in each of its last two games - but it could benefit from getting some needed rest.
The Whitecaps (1-2-2), winless since defeating Toronto FC 4-2 on March 19, have been a little short-handed lately because of injuries. They haven't played since Sunday's 3-1 loss at Houston, which was their third match in nine days.
"I think three games in a week have been very hard, and they have all been tough for us," coach Teitur Thordarson told the Whitecaps' official website. "There is nothing wrong with the fighting spirit of the group, but obviously, we ran out of gas."
Camilo had Vancouver's lone goal against the Dynamo, his third of the season, tying him with Eric Hassli for the team lead.
Hassli was suspended last weekend after receiving his second red card of the year.
In addition to getting Hassli back, the Whitecaps also could see more playing time from Omar Salgado, the first overall pick in this year's MLS SuperDraft.
Salgado, who saw action for the U.S. as a substitute in three qualifying matches for the Under-20 World Cup, played just six minutes in his MLS debut Sunday after joining Vancouver just days before the game against Houston.
"I think Omar did well when he came on," Thordarson said. "He didn't have too many goal situations, but he gets into the team and works very hard."
