New cdchivasusa.com column - Red-and-White Monday

A new feature launched today on cdchivasusa.com - it's called "Red-and-White Monday" and it'll be a weekly column that appears on the website, you guessed it, every Monday.

This first one is about what Chivas USA is "on pace" to do this season. Whether it's a goal every 21 minutes from Bojan Stepanovic, or a 500-assist career for Gerson Mayen, the column takes a look at the numbers.

It also includes the Hollywood Corner, where the last match is analyzed with a Los Angeles flair, and the Power Rankings, which put each MLS team in its place.

Click here to read the first installment of 'Red-and-White Monday'!

Lillingston nominated for Goal of the Week

For the second straight week, a Chivas USA player has been nominated for Sierra Mist MLS Goal of the Week!

After game one, it was Paulo Nagamura - this time around it's Eduardo Lillingston, who scored his first MLS goal in the 56th minute. It ended up being the game-winner in the Red-and-White's 2-0 victory in Dallas.

Here's video of the strike:



"Gerson [Mayen] started the play, and he played a very good ball into space," said Lillingston after the match. "I played it to the far post and it went in."

Check the post below this one for reactions from the game from Chivas USA players, including Lillingston.

To vote for the Mexican forward's first MLS goal, and to check out the rest of the nominees, visit the Goal of the Week page at MLSnet.com.

Chivas USA beats FC Dallas 2-0, English and Spanish audios

With goals by forward Eduardo Lillingston and midfielder Bojan Stepanovic (MLS debut), both with their first goals in Major League Soccer, Chivas USA defeated FC Dallas by a score of 2-0 on Sunday at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas in front of 6,524 fans. It was Lillingston’s first goal in MLS and also Stepanovic’s MLS debut with the Red-and-White. Stepanovic, who signed with the team on Friday, entered the field at the 69th minute and scored six minutes later.
With the result, Chivas USA leads the Western Conference, tied with the Seattle Sounders, with 6 points. The Red-and-White also broke FC Dallas’ four-game unbeaten streak against them.
Chivas USA’s 20 year-old Gerson Mayen, born and raised in Los Angeles, also made his MLS debut in the match and contributed with an assist in the first goal. Mayen is a product of Chivas USA’s Youth Development system and former member of Chivas USA U-18 Team.
Chivas USA returns home to face the defending MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew on Sunday, April 5 at 5:00 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center. Kids aged 16 and under get in free with the purchase of each adult ticket and the first 7,500 fans through the gates will receive a free Chivas USA hat. For more information on the match, please visit cdchivasusa.com or call 1-877-CHIVAS-1.

AUDIOS:

Click here to listen to Chivas USA Preki talk about the game.

Click here to listen to Preki talk about Eduardo Lillingston's performance.

Click here to listen to Preki talk about Gerson Mayen's debut in MLS.

Click here to listen to Jesse Marsch talk about today's result.

Click here to listen to Jonathan Bornstein talk about the game.

Click here to listen to Lillingston talk about the game and his goal (in Spanish)

Escuche aquí a Eduardo Lillingston hablar sobre el partido y su gol.

Foto del Día

Clima hostil

Los jugadores de Chivas USA tuvieron un entrenamiento limitado al mediodía del sábado en el Pizza Hut Park, de cara al encuentro que disputará el domingo ante el FC Dallas a las 12:00 p.m. PT. Los fuertes y fríos vientos evitaron que el conjunto Rojiblanco pudiera entrenar por más de media hora. "El viento está muy fuerte y no se puede entrenar como normalmente se hace", declaró el delantero Eduardo Lillingston. El encuentro será televisado localmente por Prime Ticket y a nivel nacional por TeleFutura.

Weather affects practice...

Chivas USA players could only practice on Saturday for less than an hour because of severe cold winds that hit the Frisco, Texas area. “The wind affects a lot, because you can’t train like you normally would”, said Chivas USA forward Eduardo Lillingston after a very brief training session.
Chivas USA will face FC Dallas this Sunday at 12:00 noon PT in a match that will be broadcast locally on PRIME TICKET and nationally on TeleFutura.
Here are some pictures from today’s training session at Pizza Hut Park.

PHOTOS: Chivas USA Communications

Chivas USA arrives in Dallas/Chivas USA ya está en Dallas

Chivas USA arrived on Friday night at Dallas, Texas after a two-hour delayed flight. The Red-and-White will train on Saturday at Pizza Hut Park, where it will face FC Dallas this Sunday at 12:00 noon PT in a match that will be broadcast locally on PRIME TICKET and nationally on TeleFutura.

For some of the players like Mariano Trujillo, Eduardo Lillingston and Michael Lahoud, this trip represents their first official away game after joining Chivas USA this season.

Click here to listen to Michael Lahoud talk about his health, after suffering a concussion on Saturday, and also about his first away game with Chivas USA.

Chivas USA llegó el viernes por la noche a la ciudad de Dallas, Texas, con dos horas de retraso en su vuelo. Los jugadores, algo cansados por el viaje, llegaron al hotel muy cercano al Pizza Hut Stadium de Frisco, Texas, para descansar y el sábado entrenar al mediodía.

Chivas USA enfrentará al FC Dallas el próximo domingo a las 12 p.m. PT en un encuentro que será televisado en el área de Los Ángeles por Prime Ticket y a nivel nacional por TeleFutura.
Para algunos, como el defensa Mariano Trujillo, el mediocampista Michael Lahoud y Eduardo Lillingston, el viaje a Frisco representa la primera oportunidad de viajar con el equipo tras debutar en la MLS el sábado pasado en la victoria de 2-1 sobre los Rapids de Colorado.

Escuche aquí a Mariano Trujillo hablar sobre su primer viaje con el equipo.

PHOTO: Chivas USA Communications

Chatting with Chivas USA - Jonathan Bornstein

Check out cdchivasusa.com for a new feature launched today called "Chatting with Chivas USA."

Every week we'll spotlight one player on Chivas USA with a Q&A and a video, and for the first in the series, Jonathan Bornstein talks about everything from his ping-pong mastery to the origin of the name of his hometown, Los Alamitos, Calif.

Click here to find Jonny's answers in the Q&A, and you can follow a link at the top of the article to watch the video. Enjoy!

Chivas USA signs Serbian midfielder Bojan Stepanovic

A new signing to announce today - Serbian midfielder Bojan Stepanovic. A press release will be on the website shortly, and we'll link to that here when it's available. He joined the team in early March and played in most of the preseason matches, and is shown here facing San Jose on March 4.

Here are a few quotes from Stepanovic, and also from Preki:

Chivas USA midfielder Bojan Stepanovic

On joining the team:
“I’m very happy. My teammates and everybody with the club has given me a good reception and welcomed me in.”

On challenges this year with Chivas USA:
“The biggest challenge is going to be adapting to the speed of play and the amount of running that I’ll need to do in this league. But it shouldn’t be a problem.”

On what he hopes to bring to the club:
“I hope I’ll be able to score some goals, create some goals, make things happen for the team on the offensive side.”

Chivas USA Head Coach Preki

On Stepanovic as a player:
“[He’s] a solid offensive player who hits a good final pass and can play on either side of the field. He fits well with how we play here and we hope he will bring a lot of good qualities to our team.”

On how he found out about the midfielder:
“I saw him play 3-4 years ago when I was in Serbia and I kept an eye on him. Finally he became a free agent and now he’s here.”

Chivas USA visits Dallas this Sunday

The Red-and-White will look for success on the road as they travel to face FC Dallas this Sunday at 12:00 noon PT in a match that will be broadcast locally on Prime Ticket and nationally on TeleFutura.

Listen to Paulo Nagamura, Carey Talley and Atiba Harris discuss Sunday's match in Dallas in our Official YouTube Channel here:




After the match at Dallas, Chivas USA returns home for a game against the defending MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew on Sunday, April 5, at 5:00 p.m. at The Home Depot Center. For more information, or tickets to the match, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.

Chivas USA viaja a Dallas en busca de victoria a domicilio

El equipo Rojiblanco buscará su primera victoria a domicilio cuando enfrente al FC Dallas este domingo a las 12 p.m. PT en un encuentro que será televisado localmente por Prime Ticket y a nivel nacional por TeleFutura.

El mediocampista Paulo Nagamura habla sobre sus dos goles que anotó el pasado fin de semana, además del encuentro ante el FC Dallas el próximo domingo. El defensa mexicano Mariano Trujillo hablan desde su perspectiva sobre el encuentro en tierras texanas en nuestro Canal Oficial de YouTube:


Después del partido del domingo, Chivas USA regresa a casa para enfrentar al Crew de Columbus el domingo, 5 de abril, a las 5:00 p.m. en El home Depot Center. Para más información, o para boletos, puede llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visitar cdchivasusa.com.

Union Ultras Viewing Party this Sunday in West Covina

The Union Ultras, one of Chivas USA's loyal fan clubs, is holding their first viewing party of the 2009 season for this weekend's match between the Red-and-White and FC Dallas, taking place at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Tex.

The match kicks off at 12:00 noon PT (2:00 p.m. in Dallas) and the Union Ultras will be gathering at 3.99 Pizza Co, at 1931 W. Badillo St. in West Covina. All are welcome to attend and cheer on Chivas USA for the team's first road game of the 2009 season!

Relive '24 Hours of Chivas USA' at L.A. Live!

Chivas USA took over LA Live last week for 24 hours of red and white excitement. Witness the debut of the 2009 ChivaGirls and the 2009 Chivas USA Team Photo, and hear from team President Shawn Hunter and several Chivas players on our Official YouTube Channel here:

Nagamura up for Goal of the Week

Chivas USA midfielder Paulo Nagamura - who equaled his goal scoring totals from the '07 and '08 seasons (2) in a five-minute span in the second half of Saturday's win against Colorado - was nominated for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week for his first goal.

The play occured in the 55th minute of the match, when Nagamura passed to Maykel Galindo, who played a ball up toward forward Justin Braun.



"I screamed to [Justin] to just leave it to me because I had a perfect shot," said 'Paulinho' after the match. "I had a pretty good hit."

Very true - but unfortunately for Paulo, the Goal of the Week nominees this week are an especially strong bunch. Davy Arnaud from Kansas City is on the list for a vicious strike from about 25 yards, and FC Dallas' Kenny Cooper scored from his own half against Chicago, among others.

Check out all the goals and cast your vote by following this link.

Chivas USA vs. Colorado Rapids reactions

Experience MLS First Kick 2009 at Home Depot Center with fans, a big announcement from Claudio Suarez, and all the reaction and highlights from Preki and the team, including the first two-goal game of Paulo Nagamura's career.

Nagamura goals give Chivas USA Opening Day victory / Goles de Nagamura dan la victoria a Chivas USA en el partido inaugural

Two goals in four minutes from Chivas USA midfielder Paulo Nagamura gave the Red-and-White a win in their Home Opener, the fourth straight year that Chivas USA has won its first home game of the MLS season.
Nagamura, who had two goals in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons, notched twice in a game for the first time in his MLS career. Both goals were low, right-footed shots to Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens’ right, with the first coming in the 55th minute from 25 yards and the second in the 59th minute from 15 yards.
The Rapids had taken the lead in the 38th minute when Ugo Ihemelu drove a shot which Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton saved, but the rebound fell directly to Omar Cummings, who scored from close range.
Three Chivas USA players made their MLS debuts in the match: Mexican First Division veterans Mariano Trujillo and Eduardo Lillingston both started the match, and the Red-and-White’s first round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, midfielder Michael Lahoud, entered the match as a substitute in the 56th minute.
Claudio Suárez, the player with the most international appearances in Mexican National Team history, addressed the media at halftime of the match alongside club President and CEO Shawn Hunter. Chivas USA announced yesterday that the legendary defender will return to the Red-and-White in 2009. You can listen to audios of the press conference below.


PHOTOS: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA

Audios

Click here to listen to Claudio Suárez talk (in Spanish) about his return with the Red-and-White (there's an English translation at the end of the soundbyte).

Click here to listen to Chivas USA President and CEO Shawn Hunter talk about Claudio's comeback.

Click here to listen to the post-game press conference with Preki and Paulo Nagamura.



Escuche aquí las declaraciones de Claudio Suárez sobre su regreso con los Rojiblancos en 2009 (there's an English translation at the end).

Escuche aquí a Claudio hablar sobre sus nuevos compañeros mexicanos en 2009, Eduardo Lillingston y Mariano Trujillo (English translation at the end).

Escuche aquí a Paulo Nagamura hablar sobre sus dos goles que le dieron la victoria a Chivas USA.

Escuche aquí a Maykel Galindo hablar sobre su actuación en el segundo tiempo en la victoria de Chivas USA.

Chivas USA faces Colorado Rapids tonight!

Chivas USA will open its 2009 season this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. PT when the team faces the Colorado Rapids on Disneyland Resort Night at The Home Depot Center. The Red-and-White are opening their fifth season in MLS, and will be looking for a fourth straight appearance in the MLS Cup playoffs. The club has also won its home opener in each of the past three seasons and will be looking to improve on its record this Saturday, where the first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive giveaways including a Disney hat and a limited-edition Chivas USA t-shirt. For more information on the game, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1, or visit cdchivasusa.com.

Claudio Suárez to return to Chivas USA/Claudio Suárez regresa con Chivas USA

Claudio Suárez, the player with the most international appearances in Mexican National Team history, will return to Chivas USA in 2009, the Major League Soccer club announced today. A three-year veteran of MLS and longtime captain of the Mexican National Team, Suárez played his last game for Chivas USA on Oct. 25, 2008, vs. the Houston Dynamo, before announcing his retirement from professional soccer on March 7, 2009.

Claudio Suárez, el jugador con más partidos disputados en la historia de la Selección Nacional de México, regresará con Chivas USA en 2009, anunció hoy el equipo de la Major League Soccer. El experimentado jugador de la Selección Mexicana, con tres años en la MLS, disputó su último partido con Chivas USA el 25 de octubre de 2008 ante el Dynamo de Houston, para luego anunciar su retiro como profesional el pasado 7 de marzo de 2009.

Chivas USA signs Mexican midfielder Mariano Trujillo (and other updates)

Chivas USA announced today the signing of Mexican midfielder Mariano Trujillo, a veteran of the Mexican First Division who has been training with the team for more than a month. Recently, Trujillo has been playing in defense with the Red-and-White, and is awaiting his International Transfer Certificate before he'll be eligible to play in MLS.

Click here for the full press releason on Trujillo joining the team, and here are quotes from the new signing:

On signing with Chivas USA ahead of the 2009 season:

“I’m really happy to join up with Chivas USA for the new season. It’s something I’d been hoping would happen for some time, and, thank God, it’s become a reality. Now I’m hoping that everything goes well this weekend and I can make my debut with the team.”

Had you thought before about giving MLS a try?

“Yes, I’d definitely thought about playing in MLS sooner rather than later, and now the possibility of playing with Chivas USA has become a reality. I’m definitely happy about that, and very excited – it’s a new experience for me.”

How have you adjusted to your new teammates?

“I really like this group of guys, and they’ve welcomed me in. I’d met many of them before, since Chivas USA had given me the chance to train here in the past during vacations from the Mexican season. I already knew most of the group, and so now I’m very happy to be a part of the team, and already comfortable within the squad.”

What are your thoughts on the play in MLS?

“It’s a tough league, and the level keeps improving. In comparison with the Mexican league, I think it’s more difficult to play here in MLS because the physical level is so high, the teams are so well organized, and you have to play much faster.”

In other Chivas USA news:

• Midfielders Diego Scotti and Erik Hummel have left the preseason camp.
• Forward Eduardo Lillingston, signed March 9, has received his P-1 work visa and is now (like Trujillo) only awaiting his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) before he is eligible for MLS action.

Chivas USA anuncia la firma del mexicano Mariano Trujillo

Chivas USA anunció hoy la firma del versátil mediocampista mexicano Mariano Trujillo. El experimentado ex jugador de Pumas de la UNAM, Santos Laguna, Morelia y Atlante, de 31 años de edad, ha estado entrenando con Chivas USA desde finales de febrero. El jugador podría debutar en la MLS este sábado ante Colorado, dependiendo de la llegada de su Certificado Internacional de Transferencia.

Escuche las declaraciones de Mariano Trujillo sobre su contratación de Chivas USA y su participación en la MLS aquí.

Chivas USA abre su quinta temporada de la MLS cuando enfrenten a los Rapids de Colorado en la Jornada Inaugural 2009, el sábado, 21 de marzo, en El Home Depot Center, en un encuentro que será televisado en vivo a las 7:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico por Fox Soccer Channel y Fox Sports en Español. Para más información sobre los boletos de temporada de Chivas USA, así como el increíble Paquete de las Estrellas de cinco partidos (comenzando con precios accesibles de $50), favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite cdchivasusa.com.

PHOTO: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA

Chivas USA faces Colorado Rapids in Season Opener

Chivas USA will open its 2009 season this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. PT when the team faces the Colorado Rapids on Disneyland Resort Night at The Home Depot Center.

The Red-and-White are opening their fifth season in MLS, and will be looking for a fourth straight appearance in the MLS Cup playoffs. The club has also won its home opener in each of the past three seasons and will be looking to improve on its record this Saturday, where the first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive giveaways including a Disney hat and a limited-edition Chivas USA t-shirt. For more information on the game, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1, or visit cdchivasusa.com.

You can watch the game preview here on our Official YouTube Channel:



Chivas USA abre su quinta temporada de la MLS cuando enfrenten este sábado a los Rapids de Colorado en la Jornada Inaugural 2009, el 21 de marzo, en El Home Depot Center, en un encuentro que será televisado en vivo a las 7:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico por Fox Soccer Channel y Fox Sports en Español. Para más información sobre los boletos de temporada de Chivas USA, así como el increíble Paquete de las Estrellas de cinco partidos (comenzando con precios accesibles de $50), favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite cdchivasusa.com.

El delantero Maykel Galindo se está recuperando de una lesión y podría ver algunos minutos, lo mismo que Jorge Flores, quien regresa de la Selección de Estados Unidos Sub-20 tras lograr la clasificación al Mundial de esa categoría.

Puede ver sus comentarios acerca del encuentro en nuestro Canal Oficial de Chivas USA por YouTube aquí:

Chivas USA takes its Official 2009 Team Photo

(From left to right) Top row: Justin Braun, Bobby Burling, Jim Curtin, Dan Kennedy, Zach Thornton, Lance Parker, Atiba Harris, Sasha Victorine, Shavar Thomas, Ante Razov

Middle: Carey Talley, Sacha Kljestan, Josh Beaumont, Kevin Esparza, Carlos LLamosa, Stephen Hamilton, Preki, Shawn Hunter, Leo Percovich, Anthony Garcia, Eduardo Lillingston, Ante Jazic, Jesse Marsch

Botton: Miguel Torres, Lawson Vaughn, Paulo Nagamura, Gerson Mayen, Michael Lahoud, Alecko Eskandarian, Jonathan Bornstein, Maykel Galindo, Jorge Flores, Jose Vargas, Raul Guerrero.

Chivas USA today wrapped up 24 hours of non-stop soccer celebration during the '24 Hours of Chivas USA' at L.A. LIVE. From 6 p.m. on Tuesday to 6 p.m. today, Chivas USA celebrated the opening of its 2009 season, which kicks off this Saturday, March 21 vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center.

The ‘24 Hours of Chivas USA’ wrapped up when players and coaching staff took the Chivas USA’s Official 2009 Team Photo, before the event came to a close with a special presentation by the ChivaGirls.

Ahead of its March 21 season opener on Saturday at The Home Depot Center, Chivas USA was on-site at NOKIA Plaza with a unique interactive fan experience featuring music, prizes and appearances by players and the ChivaGirls.

Chivas USA kicks off its fifth campaign in Major League Soccer when it hosts the Colorado Rapids in an Opening Day match on Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center. For more information on Chivas USA season tickets, as well as the unbeatable All-Star five-game pack (starting at just $50), please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.

'24 Hours of Chivas USA' gallery!

After last night’s game between the ChivaGirls vs. the Southern California Mascots, one of the main attractions on Tuesday, ‘24 Hours of Chivas USA' continued throughout the night and early morning with live shots, mini-soccer matches involving radio personalities from Super Estrella and KWKW, local soccer teams, and many others. Also, the team took its 2009 Team Photo, which will be published shortly…

PHOTOS: Chivas USA Staff

'24 Hours of Chivas USA' kicks off!

The'24 Hours of Chivas USA' kicked off this evening with a special ChivaGirls dance team presentation, followed by mini-soccer matches, involving kids, the ChivaGirls, Mascots from many local teams, members of the media, and many others.

Chivas USA is bringing the colorful gameday experience to the streets of downtown Los Angeles. For 24 consecutive hours, the Major League Soccer club is on-site at NOKIA Plaza with a unique interactive fan experience featuring music, prizes and appearances by players and the ChivaGirls, as well as a mini-soccer field where fans can show off their skills.

Chivas USA will be on-site on Wednesday morning with free breakfast for fans courtesy of ESPN Zone L.A. LIVE. The '24 Hours of Chivas USA' wraps up Wednesday afternoon, when players and coaching staff will be on hand to take Chivas USA's Official 2009 Team Photo, before the event's Closing Ceremony at 5 p.m. featuring the ChivaGirls.

Chivas USA vs. Houston Dynamo highlights

Hear from Preki and Shavar Thomas after Chivas USA's 2-2 draw with Houston in the pre-season finale for both teams. Highlights include goals from Thomas and Atiba Harris.

Chivas USA takes its ‘Practice in the Community Series’ to Orange County

Chivas USA held its ‘Practice in the Community Series’ in Orange County on Sunday at the Santa Ana Bowl. Today’s event was Chivas USA’s first ‘Practice in the Community’ of 2009, following last year’s successful series of community-based open practice sessions.

Hosted by Santa Ana Soccer Association and Santa Ana Youth Soccer United, Sunday’s practice gave fans the chance to watch, up-close, the practice of a professional soccer team, while meeting Chivas USA stars including Orange County natives and U.S. National Team members Sacha Kljestan (Huntington Beach) and Jonathan Bornstein (Los Alamitos).

Chivas USA’s second annual Practice in the Community Series gives fans the unique opportunity to attend, free of cost, an open practice session of a professional soccer team. Chivas USA kicks off its fifth campaign in MLS when it hosts the Colorado Rapids on Opening Day, Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center.

PHOTOS: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA