Chivas USA and City of Bell Gardens announce historic alliance

CARSON, Calif. - Major League Soccer team Chivas USA and the City of Bell Gardens have united in a unique private-public partnership which promotes sports to today's youth through the Bell Gardens Sports Center, which will open its doors in the Spring of 2006.

The Bell Gardens Sports Center, which is located at the site of Ford Park, located at 8000 Park Lane, en Bell Gardens, CA, 90201 was conceived and is being built by the City of Bell Gardens, located in the heart of Los Angeles County, California. It includes four soccer fields, two of them artificial turf, two baseball fields and a state-of-the-art concession stand, all of which are adjacent to an nine-hole golf course.

"We are thrilled to partner with Bell Gardens on this truly remarkable project. Chivas is committed to aligning BGSC with strategic partners who share our same vision of providing opportunity for youth. We hope to bring unprecedented recognition and support to this community and the fine work it has undertaken," said Chivas USA Senior Vice President and General Manager Whit Haskel.

"The City of Bell Gardens is very excited to enter into this partnership agreement with Chivas USA. This relationship is one that reflects the common vision and philosophy that places children first. The Bell Gardens Sports Center is happy to welcome Chivas USA to their new home," said Mayor of Bell Gardens Pedro Aceituno.

The multi-annual agreement will include usage of the Bell Gardens Sports Center complex by a handful of Chivas USA's different programs, which include Chivas USA first team training sessions, reserve team training sessions and matches, a Chivas Futbol Academy, an annual Copa Chivas youth soccer tournament, soccer clinics for young boys and girls, coaching clinics for men and women, soccer camps, the annual MLS Futbolito tournament and many other related events.

The partnership also includes Chivas USA's sister team in Mexico, Club Deportivo Guadalajara (popularly known as 'Chivas'), since two of the four soccer fields will carry the name and logos of both Chivas USA and Chivas Guadalajara.

Chivas USA will also be hosting "Bell Gardens Night" at The Home Depot Center during one of their regular season games and will also be offering permanent special ticket discounts for Bell Garden businesses and residents during Chivas USA's regular MLS season.

BELL GARDENS SPORTS CENTER

Located in the City of Bell Gardens

A $10 million Sports Center

Four Soccer fields (two of them synthetic turf)

Two Baseball fields

State-of-the-art concession stand

Nine-hole Golf course

Bell Gardens Sports Center to open in Spring 2006

Synthetic Turf fields will be branded with Chivas USA and Chivas Guadalajara logos. One per field.

Bell Gardens applied for a competitive grant against 250 other cities. Out of 31 cities selected for grant funding, only 13 cities were fully funded for their request. Bell Gardens was one of 13 who were fully funded in the amount of $1,000,000.00

CITY OF BELL GARDENS

Population: 44,054 within a 2.4¬-square-mile radius.

Median Age: 23.8

Population: Hispanic 87.5%, White 10.1%, Asian/Eskimo 1.0%, American Indian 0.8%, Black 0.4%, Other 0.2%

Number of households: 9,466

Schools: Elementary, 6; Intermediate, 2; High School, 1; Adult, 2

Bell Gardens is considered one of the youngest cities in the Nation. Average age of residents is 23 years old.

CLUB DEPORTIVO CHIVAS USA

Founded August 2, 2004

President and Co-Owner: Antonio Cué

Co-Owner: Jorge Vergara

Chief Executive Officer: Javier León