CARSON, Calif. – June has been a busy month for the Chivas USA front offices.
First, team captain and US National Team regular Sacha Kljestan was transferred to Belgian club RSC Anderlecht on June 10. Then Paulo Nagamura resigned with the club on June 25 after six months in Mexico with First Division side Tigres UANL.
Finally, Chivas USA made a pair of roster moves on Wednesday, releasing midfielder Jose Macotelo and forward Maicon Santos.
Santos joined the team on August 21 of last season, and quickly became part of then-head coach Preki’s plans. The Brazilian made 12 appearances in 2009, including two starts in the SuperClásico playoff series against Los Angeles, and he notched two goals and an assist for his efforts.
He had been used more as a substitute this season, earning just three starts in nine appearances. He found the back of the net only once for the Goats in 2010, scoring a 76th-minute equalizer against Chicago on May 1.
Macotelo joined the Red-and-White on loan from Costa Rican side Puntarenas F.C. on April 30. The midfielder had made little impact for the Goats during his two months with the team, earning just three substitute appearances during his time with the Red-and-White.
Chivas USA will have to adjust quickly to the losses of Macotelo and Santos, as the Goats will face the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center.
