In a city where soccer is a religion, where the local team is known as the Holy Herd and its stadium is the Grand Temple, people sometimes talk about Jorge Vergara as if he were the messiah.

Since taking over the troubled Chivas soccer team in 2002, Vergara has resurrected Mexico’s most storied franchise and launched a crusade to expand the Chivas brand worldwide, including in the United States.

Vergara also touches on something deeper in Mexico’s psyche, by his rags-to-riches story and evangelizing of self-help ideology. The taco vendor-turned-millionaire believes that Mexicans’ greatest need is a can-do attitude.

Image via Manggus

With former players Alecko Eskandarian, Carey Talley and Attiba Harris heading back up to Salt Lake for the first time since their trades, expect the fireworks to fly early and often in this huge three point Western Conference battle.

TFC loses nine players to international duty, but MLS won’t postpone game.

“I’ve had some challenges in my life,” Carver said. “But never have I faced a situation like I’m facing this week.”

The situation Carver speaks of is that he has lost nine players to international duty as qualifying starts this week for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa leaving him with only one starting defender — Marco Velez — on his roster.

And TFC’s pleas to Major League Soccer that the Saturday game be postponed have fallen on deaf ears.

Image via Yimg

It’s going to be a tough one after losing 2 - nil in Panama, but Chivas USA did not have to deal with any travel, heat / humidity and a crap field this week.

Remember though, it’s massively important they don’t give up a goal. If they do, they’ll have to score even more in tonight’s CONCACAF Champions League 2nd leg.

Chiva USA left it late, but walks away with a valuable three points in the Western Conference.