CHIVAS OPEN PRESEASON FEB. 4: Chivas USA opens preseason camp on Feb. 4 at The Home Depot Center. During the team's eight-week preseason, the Red-and-White will participate in training and friendly matches in Southern California and elsewhere. After opening on the road on March 30 at FC Dallas, Chivas USA plays its Home Opener on April 5 at The Hope Depot Center when it hosts Real Salt Lake. A full schedule for Chivas USA's preseason will be released this week.
JORGE FLORES, CHIVAS USA U-18'S UPDATE: Chivas USA's U-18 Team continues its participation in the 15th annual Copa Chivas, one of the most prestigious youth soccer tournaments in the Western Hemisphere. After 2-0 losses against Deportivo Autlán and Necaxa in their first two group matches, the U-18's dropped a tight decision against Atlético Juventud of Uruguay on Monday morning. Chivas USA continues play on Tuesday, facing Caracas FC of Venezuela, before finishing play in six-team Group D versus Tigres UANL on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Chivas USA forward Jorge Flores, who is participating with the U.S. U-20 National Team in the Copa Chivas, played the full match in each of the U.S.'s first two Group B matches, including captaining the U-20's on Sunday against Tecos UAG. For Copa Chivas schedules, results, and statistics, visit the tournament's official website at www.copachivas.com.
PREKI IN GUADALAJARA: Chivas USA Head Coach Preki arrived in Guadalajara Sunday for a four-day visit to take in all the action at the Copa Chivas. While in Guadalajara, Preki will have the chance to see the Chivas USA U-18's square off against the youth sides of Caracas FC and Tigres UANL, while the U.S. U-20's will face Estudiantes de la Plata and Santos of Mexico.
SUEÑO MLS 2008: THE DREAM CONTINUES: Thousands of players registered yesterday for 'Sueño MLS 2008: The Dream Continues,' the nationally-televised search to discover America's best undiscovered young soccer players, which will be followed weekly by Univision's popular sports show, República Deportiva. After the huge success of the event in 2007, in which Jorge Flores of Anaheim, Calif., won out over 2000 other young amateurs from across the United States and several foreign countries, the event returns this year not only to Los Angeles but also to Dallas, where 2000 more hopefuls will participate. The first rounds of tryouts take place the weekend of Feb. 15 in Bell Gardens, Calif., with the coaching staff inviting 60 players back for a second tryout on March 1. After the round of 60, "The Final 18" of each team will be selected and subsequently compete on March 8-9 and March 15 for a chance to train with the respective MLS team, and possibly earn a roster spot. For more information on Sueño MLS please visit www.SuenoMLS.com.
FLORES, HAMILTON, BURLING SIGN CONTRACTS: Chivas USA players Jorge Flores, Bobby Burling, and Anthony Hamilton recently signed developmental contracts in anticipation of the 2008 season. Flores, a forward, won the first Sueño MLS competition which was held last spring, and made his first team debut for Chivas USA on Sept. 9 against the New York Red Bulls. Forward Anthony Hamilton made two regular season appearances last year before coming on a substitute in Chivas USA's 0-0 tie against the Kansas City Wizards during the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, Burling, a defender, showed tremendous potential while playing for the Chivas USA Reserve team in 2007.
BORNSTEIN JOINS SOCAL JEWISH SPORTS HALL OF FAME: Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein was honored on Sunday night by the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Southern California at the group's annual induction ceremonies, held at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The Hall of Fame honors Jewish athletes for their achievement in sports, and Bornstein was given the award for his athletic performances and contributions to the sport of soccer based on his play for UCLA, Chivas USA, and the United States National Team.
GUZAN WITH U.S. NATIONAL TEAM; KLJESTAN WITH U.S. U-23'S: Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan is among the 21 players recalled to the United States National Team in preparation for its upcoming match against Mexico on Feb. 6 in Houston. U.S. National Team head coach Bob Bradley called in the group for training at The Home Depot Center. With five appearances with the team, Guzan is the most experienced of the four goalkeepers in camp. Elsewhere, Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan, is training with the U.S. U-23 National Team at its second training camp of 2008, which runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 2 at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. The week-long camp will be U-23 head coach Peter Nowak's final chance to train and evaluate players before selecting the team that will compete in CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualification from March 11-23, 2008, in Los Angeles, Tampa and Nashville. Kljestan recently served as the captain of the U.S. U-20 National Team during the team's two-game tour of China in December.
PREKI ELIGIBLE FOR HALL OF FAME: The National Soccer Hall of Fame released to voters its 2008 Players Ballot earlier this month, and Chivas USA Head Coach and 2007 MLS Coach of the Year Preki is now eligible for election for the first time. The National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum included on the ballot a number of former stars from Major League Soccer and the United States national team. With two MLS MVP awards, 79 goals and 112 assists in a stellar 10-year MLS career, and 28 games with the United States National Team, Preki is a strong candidate to receive the 75 percent vote needed from media, coaches, administrators and Hall of Famers that is necessary for acceptance to the Hall of Fame.
KICK-IT AT THE PARK: Chivas USA continues running its 'Kick-it at the Park with Chivas USA' clinics in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles, and the L.A. Parks and Recreation Department, having recently completed a session on January 26, at Ross Snyder Recreation Center on East 41st Street in Los Angeles. The clinics emphasize physical fitness, sports, and education for as many as 400 children at each of 40 locations throughout the year, and a 5 dollar fee gets participants 90 minutes of instruction, a voucher for a free ticket to a Chivas USA game, a t-shirt, soccer ball, and Certificate of Completion. The next clinic to be held will take place at Griffith Park Recreation Center at 3401 Riverside Drive in Los Angeles on February 9. For more information on the program, or to register for a clinic, visit www.kickitatthepark.com.
GET CHIVAS USA'S FIVE BEST GAMES IN '08 FOR JUST $50: Fans looking to see Chivas USA in 2008 have an opportunity to watch the five biggest games of the season with the 5-Game Plan, with packages starting at just $50. The five matches included in the set are the opening match of the season on April 5 against Real Salt Lake, and games against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Chicago Fire, the San Jose Earthquakes, Closing Day, which doubles as Fan Appreciation night. For more information please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit www.cdchivasusa.com.
