Friday, October 31
All along the Wasatch
Particularly excited to be back home was rookie standout and Salt Lake City native Justin Braun. The 21-year-old forward saw a few minutes of action in his old stomping grounds during the team’s last trip to Utah, coming on as an 85th-minute sub in Chivas USA’s 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Sept. 20.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Braun, who was profiled in today's edition of the Deseret News. “It’s going to be nice to see the family and friends and I’m looking forward to hopefully playing in front of them.”
Having defeated RSL on their old turf at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Braun is anxious to check out the home team’s new digs.
“All my friends have been to Rio Tinto Stadium and they say it’s immaculate. They say it’s one of the best stadiums they’ve seen.”
And not only is Chivas USA expected to be cheered on by the traveling Union Ultras fan club (see below), plus assorted representatives from the Legión 1908 chapters of Utah, Colorado, Idaho and California; Braun is also expecting a contingent of his own.
“I’ll have a lot of friends and family there wearing the Chivas colors,” he said. “Last time here there were about 70 people, between my friends, family and friends of the family. So there should be a pretty good section for us.”
In addition, Chivas USA was accompanied on its mid-afternoon flight by a pair of journalists from Los Angeles: KMEX Univision 34 sports anchor Enrique Gutiérrez and cameraman Juan Paz. Gutiérrez will be reporting live from Salt Lake City before and after Game 1 of the Red-and-White’s Western Conference Semifinal Series. Tune in to Channel 34 at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights to see more.
Meanwhile, by land, a bus carrying 50 members of the Union Ultras fan club is expected to depart at 9 p.m. PT Friday night from The Home Depot Center, to make the 10-hour trip to Salt Lake City in time for tomorrow’s match in nearby Sandy, Utah. Ultras members who are not traveling will be attending a special viewing party at Red Vest Pizza in Sylmar, Calif, to which all soccer fans are cordially invited.
Saturday’s Game 1 between Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake will be broadcast live at 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET) across the U.S., on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español, and in Latin America on Fox Sports. The decisive Game 2 of the series takes place at The Home Depot Center on Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. PT.
Buena suerte Chivas USA!
Varios de los empleados estaban disfrazados para festejar el día y no dudaron en desearles buena suerte a todos los jugadores durante el entrenamiento realizado en la Cancha de Atletismo de El Home Depot Center. Después de la práctica, los jugadores de Chivas USA abordaron el autobús rumbo al Aeropuerto de Los Ángeles.
Chivas USA's Jim Curtin, a Philadelphia native, celebrates Phillies victory
Chivas USA defender Jim Curtin was born and raised near Philadelphia, and even attended Villanova University, just northwest of the City of Brotherly Love. Always a passionate fan of the Philly sports teams, Curtin was thrilled to see the Philadelpha Phillies close out the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night in the fifth game of the World Series, capturing their first MLB championship since 1980, and the city of Philadelphia’s first title in any sport since 1983.
While Philadelphia celebrates today with a parade, Curtin travels to Salt Lake City with the rest of the Chivas USA team ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, to be played tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. PT. About to board the plane with the team, Curtin weighed in with Dentro del Rebaño on the Phillies’ success, his recollections of his native city’s previous triumphs, and what the Red-and-White have to do to win the MLS Cup this year.
Dentro del Rebaño: How closely have you been following the Phillies run through the playoffs, and their win on Wednesday?
Jim Curtin: I went to all their games that were out here in LA, and the guy that lives next door to me that’s from Philadelphia as well, and we just took turns going to each other’s house to watch the playoff games. It was a blast. I woke up my baby and held her in front of the TV – the old cliché story – to show her, at nine months, she was part of the World Series, our first World Series in a long time.
DdR: How old were you when a Philadelphia team last won a championship? How about when the Phillies last won?
JC: I was four years old and I remember celebrations, but I didn’t really follow that team [the NBA Champion 1983 Philadelphia 76ers]. I mean, the Sixers were in my family, but I wasn’t into it because I was only four. I was at the 1980 parade [for the last time the Phillies won the World Series] as a one-year old. My parents took me to that. Kind of ironic, I suppose, that I have about a one-year old now, and they won it again.
DdR: I bet you’re hoping she doesn’t have to wait as long as you did for the next championship?
JC: I don’t want to be a grandfather for the next parade, I want to be able to get to one of those parades live!
DdR: As a Philadelphia native, what would you say to this Phillies team?
JC: Thank you! That’s a team that I’ll remember forever, all those guys had a great year. I pretty much was watching every game during the course of the year, and they kind of embody the city; there’s no real superstar, or arrogant guy, it’s just a good fundamental team that’s kind of blue-collar and hardworking. I think they represent the city of Philadelphia well, and they’re a team that everyone embraced, and obviously loves now, and will remember forever.
DdR: Does the Phillies win inspire you as Chivas USA heads into the playoffs for the third straight season?
JC: Of course. Anytime you see those celebrations after the game with the champagne and all that stuff, it’s something that I’ve been able to experience twice when I was in Chicago and there’s no better feeling. Any individual awards and all that stuff means nothing compared to a team winning a trophy at the end of the year. It’s huge.
DdR: What does the team need to do tomorrow night before Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Real Salt Lake?
JC: We’ve got to come out and set the tone early. It’s going to be a physical series. I mean, you watch a game like last night like Chicago-New England, it’s not necessarily the prettiest soccer, it’s just about guys being willing to go out, stick to our game plan, and fight for the team. Obviously when you go on the road first you want to be cautious, not give up a goal, and then come home and play in front of our home fans where we know we have an advantage. The fans will get nuts behind us and make some noise, and that should be enough to push us over the edge for sure, and get us into the Western Conference Final.
Chivas USA opens at RSL in first leg of Western Conference Semifinal
You can watch our game preview on our Official YouTube Channel here:
Cuestión de mentalidad en Chivas USA
“Pensamos en nosotros y en lo que podemos hacer, no pensamos en otras cosas. Tomamos un juego a la vez y nos enfocamos en estar listos”, indicó Preki, quien durante la campaña sufrió un promedio de casi 6 jugadores lesionados por partido. El entrenador tuvo que utilizar a varios de sus jugadores suplentes y además buscar algunos refuerzos, lo que resultó en un grupo muy fuerte de trabajo.
“Tiene que ser una cuestión de mentalidad entre todos nosotros. Tenemos que trabajar duro todos los días, dar todo de si mismos, hay que tener la misma mentalidad y así podremos hacer el trabajo en la cancha”, indicó el entrenador.
Por su parte, el arquero Dan Kennedy, quien no estará en el partido de ida ante Real Salt Lake en Río Tinto Stadium el próximo sábado debido a que recibió una tarjeta roja, declaró que confía en la habilidad de Zach Thornton.
“Necesitamos ir ahí y sacar un resultado esté yo en la portería o no. Estas cosas son difíciles porque personalmente estoy muy molesto pero al final del día queremos estar aquí el 23 de noviembre y después nada de eso importara”, afirmó el portero.
Thursday, October 30
Tranquilidad en Thornton
“No tengo ningún tipo de presión, he estado en varios partidos como estos durante mi carrera y no siento nada de presión”, indicó Thornton, quien se lesionó el 6 de septiembre en un juego en Toronto y no tuvo acción hasta el minuto 52 del sábado pasado cuando Kennedy fue expulsado y Thornton estuvo bajo los tres palos.
“Fue una situación muy difícil de entrar pero es el trabajo que tiene un arquero substituto, el estar listo para hacer lo mejor posible y darle la oportunidad de ganar a tu equipo”, indicó el guardameta.
Tuesday, October 28
Foto del Día
Una dulce sorpresa
Sunday, October 26
Chivas opens playoffs next Saturday in Utah / Chivas abre la Liguilla el 1º de Noviembre en Utah
The Red-and-White finish the regular season with a 12-11-7 record (W-L-T) and now head to the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Chivas USA will face Real Salt Lake at brand-new Rio Tinto Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 1 at Sandy, Utah. Chivas USA then hosts RSL on Saturday, Nov. 8, in the second leg of the two-game Western Conference Semifinal Series.
Houston scored the first goal of tonight’s match on a penalty in 52nd minute of the game after Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy was given a red card for a foul in the box on Houston striker Nate Jaqua. Dwayne De Rosario scored the penalty, as the Dynamo (14-5-11, 53 points) finished first in the Western Conference.
Kennedy was replaced in the match by Zach Thornton, who made his first appearance since injuring his hamstring on Sept. 6 in Toronto. With a one match suspension for the red card, Kennedy will miss the first match of the playoffs, next Saturday in Utah.
The Red-and-White learned their first-round playoff opponent at halftime of tonight’s game, when the match between Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids ended. RSL needed a draw to secure the third and final guaranteed playoff spot in the Western Conference, and a Yura Movsisyan goal in the 90th minute gave Real a 1-1 tie.
Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on the match: “After [the penalty] it was very difficult for us, but once again, the guys in the locker room don’t quit. They keep going, they keep fighting, and they got rewarded at the end.”(For a full quote sheet, please visit cdchivasusa.com.)
The match saw the return to the field for several Chivas USA players, including MF Francisco Mendoza (R foot contusion), MF Paulo Nagamura (R knee sprain), Claudio Suárez (L knee contusion), and GK Zach Thornton (L hamstring tear). The Red-and-White were without several others due to injury: DF Eric Ebert (R knee lateral meniscus surgery); FW Maykel Galindo (sports hernia surgery); DF Lawson Vaughn (L ankle surgery); MF Sasha Victorine (L knee sprain); MF Raphael Wicky (R ankle surgery)
Chivas USA now heads into the playoffs for the third straight season, and will play Real Salt Lake in the first-round, home-and-home Western Conference Semifinal. The first leg takes place on Saturday, Nov. 1 in Utah.
The Red-and-White will then host RSL on Saturday, Nov. 8 at The Home Depot Center at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center. The first 10,000 fans in attendance on the night will receive a free, limited-edition Chivas USA 2008 playoffs t-shirt. Tickets for the squad’s third consecutive appearance in MLS postseason play, starting at just $14, are now on sale by visiting cdchivasusa.com, or calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1.
Friday, October 24
'Hay que aprovechar el momento' :
“Muchas veces uno cree que va a tener esa oportunidad otra vez… y cuando te das cuenta ya pasó el tiempo y me ha tocado ver jugadores que nunca han sido campeones, por eso es importante que se mentalicen de trabajar duro y no dejar esta oportunidad”, expresó el defensa mexicano.
“Sé que es de mis últimas oportunidades [de ganar el título] y no la quiero dejar pasar, es por eso que quiero encarar estas finales junto con mis compañeros… lo que les quiero transmitir a mis compañeros es de que tenemos que tener esa mentalidad de lograr el título”, declaró Suárez, quien al final de la temporada tomará una decisión sobre su retiro o continuidad en el futbol profesional.
“Pienso que he hecho una bonita carrera a tope. Analizando, he tenido muy pocas veces bajones de juego. No es fácil mantenerte a un buen nivel, siempre la gente se acostumbra a verte de un momento y no quiero llegar a esa situación donde el futbol te rebasa”, comentó el nacido en Texcoco, México.
Suárez añadió que cuando llegue el momento de su retiro, será de mucha tristeza para él.
“Va a ser un momento difícil. Es una gran nostalgia. El diario ir con tu maletita al entrenamiento y de estar conviviendo con tus compañeros, y de repente, cortarlo es difícil pero tienes que aceptarlo. La vida sigue. Creo que lo más importante es aceptarlo mentalmente. Yo sé que ya son mis últimas y por eso estoy disfrutando todo lo que hago”, agregó.
Chivas USA disputará el último encuentro de la temporada regular este sábado, 25 de octubre, a las 7:30 p.m. en El Home Depot Center, en Noche de Aficionados, donde habrá sorteos y regalos durante toda la noche. Los primeros 7,500 aficionados recibirán un balón de futbol cortesía de Chivas USA a la entrada al estadio.
Chivas USA inicia su participación en la Liguilla el sábado, 1 de noviembre, ante Real Salt Lake o Colorado con el partido de ida en una de las ciudades ya mencionadas. Luego, Chivas USA será anfitrión en el partido de vuelta el 8 de noviembre, a las 7:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico en El Home Depot Center. Para más información, llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite http://www.cdchivasusa.com/.
Chivas USA Reserves in action on Sunday
The team beat the Colorado Rapids Reserves 2-1 on Sunday, thanks to goals from Keith Savage and Anthony Hamilton. The Red-and-White then fell to the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves 2-1 on Tuesday, with Roberto Nurse's header counting for the lone Chivas USA goal.
The Reserves will play their final match of the season this Sunday, Oct. 26, against the Houston Dynamo Reserves. The match will start at 10:00 a.m. on Field 6 at The Home Depot Center.
A pair of players have been called up for the Reserve match, and will be eligible on Sunday (though not for Saturday night's first-team game). Those players are Joe Barton, a goalkeeper formerly of Cal State Northridge and the Atlanta Silverbacks (USL), and Trey Lee, a defender who played at UC Riverside.
Chivas USA celebrates Fan Appreciation Night vs. Houston
You can watch the game preview here:
Wednesday, October 22
Sin temor a nadie en Chivas USA
“Sin menospreciarlo, creo que Colorado es un equipo con un gran futbol pero creo que Salt Lake hace mejor las cosas, pero igual creo que estaremos listos para enfrentar al equipo que nos toque”, aseguró el joven pero experimentado carrilero izquierdo Francisco “Panchito” Mendoza.
“No nos importa realmente a quién le juguemos. Creo que Colorado y Real Salt Lake son dos equipos decentes, tuvimos grandes partidos como locales y visitantes ante ellos”, indicó por su parte Sacha Kljestan, el habilidoso mediocampista estadounidense.
Referente al encuentro del próximo sábado ante el Dynamo de Houston, Mendoza sostuvo que será “una lucha por el orgullo”.
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“Lo tomamos como un clásico. Creo que lo único que se juega es el orgullo, el ganar para entrar bien en los playoffs. Es un partido complicado, de mucho choque, créeme que será un partido de mucho roce y de buen futbol”, dijo el mexicano, quien ha disputado varios encuentros de mucha garra ante los actuales campeones de la MLS.
Monday, October 20
Dejair habla sobre Chivas USA
Chivas USA Reserves capture 2-1 victory over Colorado Rapids
However, it was Chivas USA who got on the scoresheet in the 47th minute of play, when Daniel Paladini crossed the ball from the right side to Keith Savage, whose low shot beat Sam Reynolds. The home team added a second goal on a set-up by Roberto Nurse, who headed the ball and passed it to Hamilton. The 23 year-old forward shot from close-range to put the score 2-0 at the 73rd minute of play.
Colorado never gave up and scored three minutes later. On a corner kick from the left side, Cesar Zambrano connected a volley from teammate Facundo Erpen that hit the lower corner of the net.
The Chivas USA Reserves will have two home games this upcoming week. The Red-and-White will face the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves on Oct. 23 and the Houston Dynamo Reserves on Oct. 26. Both games will be at The Home Depot Center. The Colorado Reserves will face the Real Salt Lake in Colorado on Oct. 26. For more information on Major League Soccer’s Reserve Division, please visit http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/reserve/.
Chivas to learn playoff opponent next week / Chivas conocerá a su rival de Liguilla la próxima semana
Chivas USA had already clinched the second spot in the West and will host the second game of a two-game playoff series on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. PT. However, the Red-and-White’s playoff opponent, either Real Salt Lake or Colorado, will not be decided until next Saturday, the final weekend of the regular season, when Real Salt Lake visits Colorado.
In a mach that featured two penalty kick calls in favor of the Rapids, Colorado’s Conor Casey scored the winning-spot kick in the 85th minute, beating Chivas USA GK Tom McManus. Earlier in the second half, Kennedy had stopped Tom McManus’ penalty kick to keep the score 0-0. Colin Clark opened the scoring for the visitors in the 67th, and Jonathan Bornstein had pulled Chivas level in the 72nd, before Casey’s 85th-minute winner.
For Sunday’s match, Chivas USA Head Coach Preki decided to give three key players a rest due to injury and national team duty: Sacha Kljestan (USA, vs. Cuba & Trinidad) and Francisco Mendoza (R foot contusion) both started the game on the bench, while captain Claudio Suárez (L knee contusion) was left out of the 18-player gameday roster as a precautionary measure.
However, injuries continued to plague Chivas USA, as MF Sasha Victorine suffered an apparent left knee sprain early in the first half and was replaced by Kljestan in the 25th minute. Victorine, who was acquired by the Red-and-White on Sept. 15, is scheduled to undergo an MRI tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury.
Preki, on the match: “I kind of had a feeling that it’s going to be tough for us just because already we’re in the playoffs. We’ve secured the second spot, so it’s tough to get the group of guys motivated. From the first moment I didn’t think we were sharp, we were losing the ball too easily. Colorado was a little harder than us, they wanted it a little more than us.” (For a full quote sheet, please visit http://www.cdchivasusa.com/.)
Saturday, October 18
Photo of the Day
Friday, October 17
Alta competencia en el arco
En los últimos cuatro encuentros, Kennedy ha permitido solamente una anotación y parece reafirmarse en la portería titular, aunque Thornton, con un desgarro de tendón, se recupera y avanza poco a poco hasta llegar al cien por ciento.
“Ahora la competencia quedó linda, lo que pasa es que hay que darle continuidad [a Kennedy]… un portero necesita cometer errores y seguir jugando y ahí es donde las cosas comienzan a fluir”, expresó Percovich.
“Danny demostró que cuando tuvo la chance, lo agarró con más fuerza. Ahora Zach tiene que seguir peleando y esperar una posibilidad, pero las chances son parejas. Lo importante es que el que queda fuera es estar presionando para que el que esté jugando para que lo haga mejor siempre para que no haga lo mismo otra vez, cuando se tiene porteros de buen nivel, se mejora el desempeño de todo”, agregó.
Chivas USA regresa este domingo, 19 de octubre, a El Home Depot Center para enfrentar a los Rapids de Colorado. Los niños de 16 años o menos serán admitidos con la compra de un boleto de adulto. Para comprar boletos para ambos encuentros, favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite www.cdchivasusa.com.
Nuevos valores, lo mejor
Para Percovich, los nuevos talentos que salieron de Chivas USA son lo más sobresaliente en el equipo durante el 2008, sin importar lo que ocurra de aquí en adelante durante el campeonato.
“Lo que se rescata es el patrimonio de los jugadores que se quedan aquí, como Jorge Flores, que anotó tres goles, Dan Kennedy, Lance Parker, Justin Braun, eso es importantísimo. Fueron jugadores desconocidos, sin experiencia, que se dieron a conocer es algo que el club alcanzó este año”, expresó el Entrenador de Porteros.
Making MLS debuts with Chivas USA in 2008
This season, Chivas USA Head Coach Preki has handed a first MLS start to no fewer than eleven players: goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, defenders Bobby Burling and Eric Ebert, midfielders Kraig Chiles, Dejair, Jorge Flores, Daniel Paladini, Keith Savage, and Raphaël Wicky, and forwards Justin Braun and Roberto Nurse. All – except Flores who came in as a substitute in one match in 2007 – have also made their MLS debuts this season.
In fact, Chivas USA could field a full team of players who have made their first MLS start this season, with each player in a position they have played in either a First Team or Reserve Team game during the 2008 season:
------------BRAUN-----------NURSE----------
---------------------DEJAIR-------------------
CHILES-------------------------------SAVAGE
---------------------WICKY--------------------
PALADINI----BURLING---EBERT----FLORES
-------------------KENNEDY-------------------
-
Thursday, October 16
CONFIRMED: Chivas USA to host playoff game on Saturday, Nov. 8
The first leg of the series will be away, against an opponent to be determined in the final two weekends of the season, on the weekend of Oct. 31-Nov. 2.
More on the playoff game, including ticket information, will soon be available at www.cdchivasusa.com.
Alecko tiene los pies en la tierra
“No hay posibilidad de que nos confiemos contra los otros equipos. Primero que nada, Preki es nuestro entrenador y no hay manera de que nos permita confiarnos. En segundo lugar, nosotros tenemos un equipo que no toma las cosas a la ligera… hemos pasado por muchas cosas últimamente… tenemos que lograr nuestra meta señalada”, dijo el autor de cinco tantos y dos asistencias en las nueve ocasiones que ha portado la casaca rojiblanca esta temporada debido a una lesión de ingle deportiva.
“Lo que me hizo seguir adelante fue que me ponía diferentes metas cuando veía el calendario de juegos. Me decía a mi mismo ‘voy a anotar tal cantidad de goles’. Como el delantero que soy, me gusta ponerme retos a mí mismo. Hay varias cosas que quiero cumplir todavía, no estoy satisfecho”, agregó.
Chivas USA regresa este domingo, 19 de octubre, a El Home Depot Center para enfrentar a los Rapids de Colorado. Los niños de 16 años o menos serán admitidos con la compra de un boleto de adulto. Para comprar boletos para ambos encuentros, favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite www.cdchivasusa.com.
Confiaron en Preki
Según el arquero titular de Chivas USA, Dan Kennedy, el conjunto rojiblanco siempre confió en su entrenador Preki y aseguró que el equipo está en la Liguilla, gracias a que han recuperado a sus jugadores.
“Preki siempre nos dijo antes de la temporada ‘sigan trabajando, ‘sigan trabajando’. Ahora que los muchachos están regresando, su visión se está realizando y creo que nosotros estamos encontrando la química entre nosotros”, expresó Kennedy, quien en los últimos cuatro partidos sólo ha permitido un tanto en su meta.
Wednesday, October 15
Alecko Speaks
Dentro del Rebaño: There are two games left in the regular season. What does the team have to do against Colorado and Houston on the next two weekends?
Alecko Eskandarian: We have to work on our good habits. It’s easy for teams for relax but for us we have a bigger goal in mind. So in order to reach our ultimate goal we have to work and really focus on the little things and keep focused for the playoffs.
DdR: With six wins in the last seven games, and on the first four-game winning streak in Red-and-White history, is there a worry about becoming overconfident?
AE: There is no chance of being overconfident against the other teams. I don’t think we're the type of guys that will take things lightly, because we have veteran guys and good young guys and we've been through a lot this year. So we're not going to get ahead of ourselves just because we've had a couple of good games. We have to keep working hard and try to reach our ultimate goal.
DdR: This recent run (undefeated in the last eight games, securing at least second place in the Western Conference, four straight wins) has been great for the club. Why do you think the team has done so well lately?
AE: Overall, winning solves everything. Once you start winning a couple of games, everybody starts feeling good about themselves, confidence grows, training is better. Winning is the cure for everything.
DdR: You were hurt for most of the season, but since coming back from injury, you've scored four goals and the team is 6-0-0 with you in the starting lineup. Did you think all along that you were going to finish the regular season like this?
AE: To be honest, I did. That’s what kept me going. The whole time I was injured, I kept thinking that I hopefully I could comeback by this time; I would come in and I look at the schedule and would set my own goals… that I would score these many goals. As a forward that’s what I tried to do, to challenge myself. There are more things that I want to accomplish, I’m not satisfied yet.
Chivas USA on ESPN.com
Tuesday, October 14
'Soccer Collies' to perform at halftime of this Sunday's match:
Monday, October 13
Jesse Marsch on tonight's Fox Football Fone-In
Sunday, October 12
Nurse, Hamilton lead Reserves over San Jose
Chivas USA Reserves (4-4-2):
* = Guest player
Lance Parker #21
Carey Talley #12 (C) - *Cameron Dunn #35* - Jim Curtin #3 - Gerson Mayen #34
Keith Savage #22 - Kraig Chiles #37 - Daniel Paladini #31 - Jorge Flores #19
Roberto Nurse #20 - Anthony Hamilton #32
On the bench:
*Ian Etherington #33*
*John 'Trey' Lee #36*
*Joe Barton #42*
Chivas USA clinches playoff spot
MLS Rookie of the Year candidate Justin Braun (Salt Lake City, Utah) put the Red-and-White ahead early, scoring off an Alecko Eskandarian pass in the 7th minute, to give Chivas USA a full share of the points and improve the Red-and-White’s record to 12-10-6 (W-L-T).
With two games remaining in the campaign, Chivas USA clinched a playoff berth for the third consecutive season. With 42 points, the Red-and-White can finish no lower than third place in MLS's Western Conference: Chivas USA holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Real Salt Lake (2 wins in 3 games this season); furthermore, Real Salt Lake (36 pts) and Colorado Rapids (34 pts) cannot both earn maximum points from their remaining matches, as they play each other on the final weekend of the regular season.
The result also moved Chivas USA to within one point of the Western Conference’s first-place team, the Houston Dynamo. However, the Dynamo have two games in hand over Chivas USA: Sunday's game vs. D.C. United and Wednesday’s game vs. San Jose, both at Robertson Stadium in Houston.
Rookie Justin Braun, who just a year ago was playing amateur soccer for club side Olympique Montreux in a Utah men’s league, earned his fourth goal of the campaign, tying him with fellow rookie Kheli Dube of the New England Revolution. In total, Braun has played in 22 regular-season games for Chivas USA in 2008 (starting 10) logging 1154 minutes and recording 4 goals and 2 assists.
Offseason acquisition Alecko Eskandarian, who assisted on Braun’s goal, picked up his 2nd assist of the season, marking the fourth consecutive game he has earned either a goal or an assist. In just 9 appearances this season, Eskandarian now has 5 goals and 2 assists; Chivas USA is currently 6-0-0 in games Eskandarian has started.
2008 MLS Coach of the Year candidate Preki has now guided Chivas USA to the playoffs for the second consecutive year under his stewardship – despite fielding 26 different lineups in 28 games due to injury and international absence. In fact, Chivas USA has been missing an average of nearly 6 players a game to injury alone this season.
Once again, Chivas USA was without nine players due to injury and international absence: MF Dejair (R groin strain); DF Eric Ebert (R knee lateral meniscus surgery); FW Maykel Galindo (sports hernia surgery); MF Paulo Nagamura (R knee sprain); GK Zach Thornton (L hamstring tear); DF Lawson Vaughn (L ankle ligament insufficiency); and MF Raphael Wicky (R ankle surgery); as well as Sacha Kljestan (USA vs. Cuba) and Shavar Thomas (Jamaica vs. Mexico).
Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on the match: “I’m very happy with the result tonight, it’s a tough place to get a result and they’re a good team and I give full credit to our guys. We never panicked, we fought and when we needed to we created chances and were happy to take the win.” (A full quote sheet is available at cdchivasusa.com.)
Chivas USA was supported during the match by more than 50 enthusiastic members of the Union Ultras supporters group, who made the nearly 400-mile bus trip from Southern California to support the Red-and-White in its first away game at San Jose since 2005.
UPDATE: Chivas USA is scheduled to resume training Wednesday at The Home Depot Center ahead of Sunday’s match vs. Colorado.
Chivas USA will close the regular season with two consecutive home matches, first facing the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, Oct. 19, at noon, where the first 7500 fans through the gates will receive a limited-edition Chivas USA hat. The team then closes the season on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. against the Houston Dynamo on Fan Appreciation Night, which features raffles, giveaways, and prizes for fans, including a special Chivas USA soccer ball.
Friday, October 10
Chivas USA vs. San Jose game preview!
Chivas USA, riding a three-match winning streak and with five wins in the past six games, travels to San Jose this Saturday to face the Earthquakes in an important match for both clubs. With a win and the help of other results, the Red-and-White (11-10-6, 39 pts), could earn a spot in the postseason. Chivas USA has 39 points and is in second place in the Western Conference, four points behind the Houston Dynamo and three ahead of Real Salt Lake.
Thursday, October 9
Chivas USA travels to San Jose on Friday
“We have never made excuses about injuries,” said Jesse Marsch today. “We never even talk about it much, because it’s not important. What is important is the team that is on the field and how the team prepares with the 18 guys that are traveling. I think we are ready to go, with Dejair and Sasha Victorine, I think we have more options.”
In addition, Chivas USA will play without Sacha Kljestan (United States) and Shavar Thomas (Jamaica), both on international duty.
Chivas USA fan club 'Union Ultras' organizing trip to San Jose this Saturday
The fan bus will leave the San Fernando Valley at 8:00 a.m. PT on Saturday for the ‘Turn-Around Trip,’ and will return immediately after the match. The cost of the event, including a ticket to the match, is $70, and families are welcome.
Only a few spots are left, so don't miss out! For more information, visit http://www.unionultras.com/, or e-mail michoacanoxvida@aol.com.
Wednesday, October 8
Foto del Día
Ausencias del sábado
Por su parte, Thomas será parte del conjunto que enfrentará también el sábado a México en Kingston, Jamaica a partir de las 4:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico por Telemundo.
Chivas USA will clinch a playoff spot this week IF:
• Chivas USA defeats San Jose on Saturday AND
• Kansas City fails to win its game on Saturday OR IF
• Chivas USA defeats San Jose on Saturday AND
• Both FC Dallas and Colorado fail to win their respective games
Tuesday, October 7
Foto del Día
Los jugadores del plantel de Chivas USA inician el entrenamiento con miras al encuentro del próximo sábado. El Rebaño podría adjudicarse un boleto a los playoffs este fin de semana, aunque tendría que obtener la ayuda de algunos equipos más en la liga. Chivas USA clasificaría con una victoria y que Colorado y FC Dallas no ganen el sábado. Los Rojiblancos también podrían clasificar si hay un ganador en el juego del jueves por la noche entre Nueva York y Real Salt Lake y si Kansas City no gana el sábado. En ambos casos, cuatro puntos (una victoria y un empate) en los siguientes tres cotejos serían suficientes para colocar a Chivas USA en su tercera Liguilla consecutiva.
Monday, October 6
Chivas USA @ D.C. United game reactions!
Saturday, October 4
Chivas USA earns historic win over D.C. United / Chivas USA vence a D.C. United
With the victory and three games left in the regular season, Chivas USA (11-10-6) remains in second place in the Western Conference with 39 points, followed by Real Salt Lake (tied 2-2 with New England tonight) in third place with 35 points. FC Dallas and Colorado (lost tonight 3-1 against Houston) both have 34 points. The top three teams from both conferences automatically make the playoffs, as well as the next two teams with the most points regardless of conference. Tonight’s win was also Chivas USA’s first win by a three goal margin during the 2008 regular season.
FW Dejair made his MLS debut tonight and contributed with a goal and an assist. The Brazilian forward stripped D.C. United goalkeeper Louis Crayton of the ball at the 35th minute and made a pass to Alecko Eskandarian, who scored his third consecutive goal in the regular season and his fourth goal in five MLS games. Eskandarian has also scored against his three former teams (Real Salt Lake, Toronto FC and D.C. United) this season. MF Sasha Victorine, making his second start for the Red-and-White, scored his second goal in a row at the 56th minute. Both Dejair and Victorine were acquired by Chivas USA on Sept. 15. Dejair scored the third and last goal of the night at the 68th minute on a pass by Eskandarian. It was the second consecutive game that a Chivas USA player makes his debut and scores in the same night during the 2008 season.
Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on tonight’s match: “We [didn’t] really want to defend, we wanted to attack them. But first of all, we knew that the [first] 15 minutes were going to be a battle, we just [had] to dominate the field. Obviously they’re the home team, they got to push the tempo forward and we were smart enough, quick enough and everyone knew how to play and we didn’t give too many things away.” (For a full quote sheet, please visit www.cdchivasusa.com.)
Chivas USA now has three games left in the regular season. The Red-and-White will visit the San Jose Earthquakes on Oct. 11, and then will close the regular season with two consecutive home matches, first facing the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, Oct. 19, at noon, where the first 7500 fans through the gates will receive a limited-edition Chivas USA hat. The team then closes the season on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. against the Houston Dynamo on Fan Appreciation Night, which features raffles, giveaways, and prizes for fans, including a special Chivas USA soccer ball. For more information on any of the remaining games, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit www.cdchivasusa.com.
Friday, October 3
Chivas USA hits the road to face D.C. United
Click here to listen to Sacha Kljestan talk about how Chivas USA is improving as players get healthier at the end of the regular season.
Click here to listen as Kljestan analyzes Chivas USA’s recent acquisition, Sasha Victorine.
Kljestan was named today by head coach Bob Bradley to the United States National Team’s 23-player roster for its upcoming match against Cuba in World Cup qualifying.
After the D.C. match, Chivas USA will face the San Jose Earthquakes on the road on Oct. 11, followed by home games on Oct. 19 against Colorado and Oct. 25, Fan Appreciation Day, against the Western Conference-leading Houston Dynamo. For more information, or to purchase tickets for either of the two remaining regular-season home games, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit http://www.cdchivasusa.com/.
Sube la confianza en Chivas USA
“El año pasado llegamos en un buen momento cuando ganamos la Conferencia pero también como equipo estábamos limitados ya que nuestros dos delanteros titulares estaban fuera…este año, creo que estamos en una dirección opuesta ya que estamos teniendo hombres que están regresando de sus lesiones al final de la temporada. Creo que tenemos un equipo muy fuerte”, expresó Kljestan al final del entrenamiento del viernes por la mañana en Washington, D.C.
Chivas USA enfrentará este sábado a las 4:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico al D.C. United. El encuentro se disputará en el RFK Stadium y será televisado en vivo por Fox Soccer Channel y Fox Sports En Español. Chivas USA se sitúa en segundo puesto de la Conferencia Oeste con 36. Sin embargo, FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake y Colorado le siguen en ese mismo sector con 34 puntos.
Kljestan expresó que a pesar de que para este viaje los Rojiblancos cuentan con un total de ocho bajas, incluyendo a los jugadores Carey Talley, Paulo Nagamura, Ante Razov y Maykel Galindo, hay suficientes elementos en el equipo para sacar un buen resultado en la capital del país.
“La contratación de Sasha Victorine nos ha ayudado mucho, ahora que Nagamura está fuera, él nos ha ayudado en la media cancha... Creo que tenemos muy buenos jugadores que todos pueden suplantar a los demás”, agregó el estadounidense.
El originario de Huntington Beach, California, recibió hoy la convocatoria de la Selección de Estados Unidos para el enfrentamiento de la Eliminatoria Mundialista ante Cuba el 11 de octubre próximo y que se quedará en la capital después del enfrentamiento del sábado.
Thursday, October 2
Entrevista de Suárez 'En Contexto'
http://www.telemundo52.com/video/17604633/detail.html
Ahí, Suárez habla de varios temas, incluyendo sus inicios en Pumas de la UNAM, así como asuntos extra futbolísticos, como la violencia en México.
Chivas USA ya está en la capital
Sin embargo, Chivas USA tratará de cambiar el rumbo del destino ya que se sitúa en zona de clasificación a la Liguilla a pesar de tener varios jugadores lesionados durante toda la temporada. No obstante, los Rojiblancos tratarán de aprovechar el buen momento de jugadores de experiencia como lo es el ex jugador del D.C. United, Eskandarian, y Sasha Victorine, la reciente contratación.
Eskandarian tiene solamente cuatro partidos como titular después de regresar de una cirugía de hernia deportiva y posee tres tantos. En los cuatro encuentros en los que ha participado, Chivas USA ha salido con la victoria.
Eskandarian, un hombre con más de cinco años de experiencia en la MLS, ha contribuido con importantes victorias en el cierre de la temporada regular para el Rebaño, como lo fue en el triunfo en Real Salt Lake el pasado 14 de junio, así como la victoria del sábado pasado ante Kansas City.
“Como delantero siempre estoy buscando la oportunidad y la posición para ejecutar bien las jugadas”, expresó Eskandarian.
“Está progresando muy bien, ha estado fuera en la mayoría de la temporada por mucho tiempo”, indicó el Director Técnico Preki al finalizar el encuentro del sábado pasado.
Este fin de semana, Eskandarian regresará a un estadio para enfrentar a un conjunto que le trae recuerdos, pues en 2004 logró conquistar la Copa MLS con el conjunto capitalino. Será la primera ocasión que Eskandarian enfrente a D.C. United en un partido oficial desde que portó la camiseta rojiblanca a principios de año.
“Gran parte de mi corazón está todavía en D.C., tuve cuatro años muy grandes ahí, tengo muchos amigos en esa ciudad. Definitivamente que estoy esperando con ansías el regresar ahí”, indicó Eskandarian.
Actualmente, Chivas USA se sitúa en segundo puesto de la Conferencia Oeste con 36 unidades y en perfecta posición para pasar a la Liguilla. Sin embargo, Real Salt Lake, Colorado y FC Dallas le vienen pisando los talones con 34 puntos. Por su parte, D.C. United se estaría jugando la vida ante el Rebaño ya que son quintos en la Conferencia Este y de terminar la temporada hoy, no estarían clasificados a la “Fiesta Grande”.
“Hay que interesarnos en nuestro propio lado, no puedes depender de otros, está muy cerrado”, expresó Preki.
Más experiencia en Victorine
Con ocho años en la MLS, Victorine viene a reforzar a un equipo que mientras se recuperan sus hombres de experiencia, se consólida como una de las plantillas más experimentadas en la MLS. Jim Curtin, con 7 años en la liga, Jesse Marsch con 12, Ante Razov con otra docena de años, Carey Talley con 10 acompañan a Victorine, con 8 años en la MLS, en una columna vertebral fundamental para los Rojiblancos en la recta final de la temporada.
“Nada más trato de ayudar al equipo… me estoy divirtiendo y estoy tratando de contribuir”, señaló Victorine.
“Se encaja muy bien a nuestro sistema, juega bien por abajo, puede ver hacia los lados, puede anotar goles, tiene buena mentalidad”, agregó Preki.
Con cuatro enfrentamientos restantes en la temporada regular, Chivas USA ahora tendrá una pequeña gira de dos partidos de visita al hilo, comenzando este sábado cuando enfrente al D.C. United. El encuentro se jugará a las 4:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico (7:30 p.m. Hora del Este y será televisado en vivo por Fox Soccer Channel y Fox Sports En Español). Después del encuentro en D.C., Chivas USA visitará a los Terremotos de San José el 11 de octubre, seguido por un par de partidos en casa, el 19 de octubre contra Colorado y el 25 de octubre contra el líder de la Conferencia Oeste, el Dynamo de Houston. Para más información o para comprar boletos, puede llamar al 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite www.cdchivasusa.com.
Wednesday, October 1
Chivas USA @ D.C. United preview
You can watch the Chivas USA @ D.C. United preview on our Official YouTube Channel here:
Con cuatro enfrentamientos restantes en la temporada regular, Chivas USA ahora tendrá una pequeña gira de dos partidos de visita al hilo, comenzando este sábado cuando enfrente al D.C. United. El encuentro se jugará a las 4:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico (7:30 p.m. Hora del Este y será televisado en vivo por Fox Soccer Channel y Fox Sports En Español). Los Rojiblancos están situados en el segundo puesto de la Conferencia Oeste con un récord de 10-10-6 (victorias-derrotas-empates), válido para 36 puntos. Los Rojiblancos necesitan continuar su racha positiva (cuatro victorias en los últimos seis partidos) para mantenerse alejados de sus escoltas, los Rapids de Colorado y el Real Salt Lake, ambos a sólo dos unidades abajo. Después del encuentro en D.C., Chivas USA visitará a los Terremotos de San José el 11 de octubre, seguido por un par de partidos en casa, el 19 de octubre contra Colorado y el 25 de octubre contra el líder de la Conferencia Oeste, el Dynamo de Houston. Para más información o para comprar boletos, puede llamar al 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite www.cdchivasusa.com.
Usted puede ver los comentarios previos al enfrentamiento de Chivas USA en D.C. United en nuestro Canal Oficial de Chivas USA.