Club Deportivo Chivas USA, the new Los Angeles-based MLS team owned by Mexican entrepreneurs, Jorge Vergara and Antonio Cue, announced Thursday via teleconference a new program for CD Chivas USA fans - ChivaSocio, which literally translates to Chivas Club Member.
In addition, the first exclusive offer for ChivaSocios will be the opportunity to tryout for CD Chivas USA via the Sangre Nueva ('New Blood') tryout program on Sunday, October 31, 2004 at Charles Jones Junior High in Baldwin Park, available at no cost to ChivaSocios who are interested in vying for a spot on the roster of the newly-established team.
"We are truly pleased to lay the foundation of what will be a compelling membership program for Chivas fans in Southern California and throughout the U.S.," said Cue. "This social club will ensure a meaningful relationship between CD Chivas USA and its fans for years to come."
As part of the private club membership of the ChivaSocio program, fans will receive benefits, including a ChivaSocio personalized membership card (see below and attached), one ticket voucher for select CD Chivas USA matches in 2005, a ChivaSocio T-Shirt, special ticket and merchandise offers, and special access to select team training sessions. Additionally, members who join now will be ensured their place in line for a season ticket priority selection. Additional benefits to come in 2005 will include special sponsor services tailored for the ChivaSocio, priority sale alerts before the general public, and a monthly newsletter.
"This club will offer our sponsors access to a very select and influential group of some of the world's greatest soccer fans," said Whit Haskel, Senior Vice President and General Manager. "We will work closely with them to ensure that the benefits they offer our members are pertinent and of great value."
The price to become a ChivaSocio is a specially-designed $30 for adults and $20 for children (ages 3-12). Children club members will join the ChivaSocio Jr. program package, which includes a Meet & Greet with the CD Chivas USA team mascot, a personalized birthday card from a player, exclusive ChivaSocio Jr. premium items at select games in 2005, and team merchandise raffles.
Both ChivaSocio and ChivaSocio Jr. will have access to a private mini-site on www.cdchivasusa.com. Memberships will be available by calling or visiting Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-877-Chivas-1 or by visiting www.cdchivasusa.com.
The first exclusive offer for ChivaSocios who join the club is the opportunity to tryout for Club Deportivo Chivas USA, which will debut in April 2005 in Major League Soccer. For ChivaSocios, the 2005 Sangre Nueva tryouts will take place on October 31, 2004 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT at Charles Jones Junior High in Baldwin Park and are open to athletes between the ages of 18-24. The tryouts will be free of charge to ChivaSocio members.
"We are working quickly to assess the talent in our community," said Thomas Rongen, Head Coach of CD Chivas USA. "We will leave no stone unturned as we strive to build a team capable of earning the respect of our fans and competing for MLS Cup 2005."
Tryouts will be supervised by professional scouts and heroes of Club Deportivo Guadalajara, Salvador 'Chava' Reyes, ex CD Guadalajara forward who is currently all-time leading scorer and a three-time World Cup player, and Arturo 'El Cura' Chaires, ex-captain and defender of CD Guadalajara during the club's winning era (1960-1970). Joining them will be Salvador Gamero, ex-midfielder for CD Guadalajara who has spent 10 years working in the youth development program, Fuerzas Basica, and Elias Vazquez, ex-goalkeeper for Guadalajara who now oversees a school for goalkeepers within the Chivas organization. In addition, CD Chivas USA coaching staff including Rongen, Assistant Coach Javier "Zully" Ledesma and Director of Soccer Dennis te Kloese will be attending the event in search of candidates for the new team.
To participate in Sangre Nueva, those interested will need to present a valid photo identification or official birth certificate as well as register on www.cdchivasusa.com or by calling 1-877-Chivas-1.
ChivaSocio PACKAGE BENEFITS
Cost: $30 Adult, $20 Youth (Ages 3-12)
For the 2005 CD Chivas USA inaugural season, ChivaSocio members will receive the following benefits.
ChivaSocio BENEFITS:
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR ChivaSocio Jr.:
