Francisco Palencia's Major League Soccer career might be over.
Chivas de Guadalajara owner Jorge Vergara will meet this week with Palencia regarding the player's possible return to Mexico.
"We made a mistake in letting him go," Vergara told reporters this week in a teleconference. "We want him to return (to Guadalajara) because he is an important player for the team. We will talk to Paco on Friday."
During the season, Palencia had indicated that he joined Chivas USA to fulfill the promise he made to play in MLS when the club was first introduced in 2004. He wound up staying with Chivas de Guadalajara for the Clausura 2005 season, however, and did not join MLS until August. He scored three goals and had one assist in nine games for Chivas USA.
His contract reportedly runs through the end of this year.
Through 12 weeks of Mexico's Torneo Apertura 2005, Chivas de Guadalajara has a 3-4-5 record. Their 14 points are good for fifth place in Group 3, nine points behind second-place Cruz Azul. Chivas needs to finish either in first or second place to reach the playoffs, or finish as one of the two best third-place teams.
Only two clubs have scored fewer goals than Chivas. The club's turmoils cost coach Benjamin Galindo his job as the former Mexican national team star was sacked in favor of Spaniard Javier Azcargorta in August.
Part of the club's dismal season is attributed to Palencia's exit, Vergara said.
"The club and the supporters miss Paco's personality, his leadership and what he brings on the field. I have always seen him as a warrior on the pitch," Vergara said. "By listening to Benjamin Galindo, (Chivas de Guadalajara vice president) Nestor de la Torre and (Chivas USA coach) Hans Westerhof's pleas to send Palencia to Chivas USA, it has cost me dearly."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
