The exhaustive roster turnover at Chivas USA continued on Wednesday, with head coach Robin Fraser confirming the departures of four members of his 2011 roster.
In a phone interview with MLSsoccer.com, Fraser said the club had parted ways with defender Michael Umaña, midfielder Marcos Mondaini, goalkeeper Sergio Arias and forward Víctor Estupiñán.
The out-of-contract Umaña, who played the most minutes of the quartet, departs Chivas USA after serving as a regular fixture in Fraser’s backline last season.
“Michael is a great character and a true batter and I have a great deal of respect for him as a person," Fraser explained to MLSsoccer.com. "But in the end, we need to make changes and we certainly had an eye on adding some different pieces for this year. He was great for this team, but it was just time to mutually part ways.”
The Costa Rican international has a new home already, catching on with Guatemalan side Comunicaciones, who officially introduced him on Tuesday.
Midfielder Mondaini, who was on loan at Chivas from Uruguayan club Atlético Fénix, made 24 appearances for the Rojiblancos in 2011, scoring three goals and two assists. The Argentine made headlines when he was suspended four games after a challenge on Real Salt Lake’s Javier Morales. He has been linked with another loan move, this time to Ecuadorian side Emelec, for whom he played in 2006 and '07.
Arias, the goalkeeper for Mexico’s U-17 World Championship in 2005, was also on loan at Chivas USA in 2011 from Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara. He served as the Goats' third goalkeeper, appearing exclusively in reserve matches. Arias will start 2012 playing on loan in the Mexican second division after Irapuato acquired the 'keeper on loan from Guadalajara.
Estupiñán, the 14th overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, scored just one goal in nine appearances for Chivas USA and the club decided not to pick up the option on his contract, GM José Domene told MLSsoccer.com. In an interview with Ecuadorian radio station Nueva Emisora Central in late December, Estupiñán revealed that Ecuadorian top flight clubs Emelec, Olmedo, El Nacional and Manta FC are interested in his services.
Adam Serrano covers Chivas USA for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at adam.m.serrano@gmail.com.
