CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA (4-21-6, 18 pts.) will look to finish its inaugural Major League Soccer season on a high note when it faces the MetroStars (11-9-11, 44 pts.) this Sunday, October 16 at 1:00 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center (TV: ESPN Deportes, ESPN2; RADIO: KMXE Radiovisa 830; WEB: www.CDCHIVASUSA.com). This final match of MLS' tenth season represents not only Chivas USA's last chance to pull itself out of the Western Conference cellar (while eliminating the Metros from playoff contention); the game will also be followed by an exclusive postgame performance by Grammy-winning artists Los Tigres del Norte in an event dubbed 'La Celebración del Pueblo' (Celebration of the People), a portion of whose proceeds will go to United Farm Workers, the labor organization founded by the late César Chávez. Tickets, which start at just $19, are available through Ticketmaster, by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1, and via the club's official Web site, www.CDCHIVASUSA.com.
RACE FROM THE BOTTOM: Chivas USA (4-21-6, 18 pts.) will enter Sunday's contest knowing whether a win could move the club out of the Western Conference basement, ahead of fellow expansion side Real Salt Lake (5-21-5, 20 pts.), which on Wednesday will play its final game of the 2005 MLS regular season at home versus Colorado. The math is simple: A Chivas USA win, combined with a Real Salt Lake loss or tie, would put the Red-and-White ahead of Real Salt Lake on points (in the case of an RSL loss) or overall goal differential (in case of an RSL tie). However, a Real Salt Lake win, or any result other than a victory by Chivas USA, would automatically give RSL fifth place in the Conference.
METROS ALSO NEED A RESULT: The MetroStars (11-9-11, pts. 44) will also know by Sunday exactly what they need out of Sunday's showdown. Currently tied with the Kansas City Wizards (11-9-11, 44 pts.) for fourth place and the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, Los Góticos will watch anxiously the Wizards' match at FC Dallas on Saturday evening. Since the Wizards currently have a better goal difference (+8) than the Metros (+2), a Kansas City victory Saturday would require the MetroStars to defeat Chivas USA by seven goals or more in order to clinch the East's final playoff spot.
IDOLS OF THE PEOPLE: Los Tigres del Norte, who have existed for more than three decades, are known as 'Los Ídolos del Pueblo' (the Idols of the People), having produced over 100 albums, including their most recent disk, 'Directo al Corazón' (Straight to the Heart). The quintet consists of bothers Jorge Hernández (who in addition be being director and vocalist also plays the accordion), Hernán Hernández (electric bass), Eduardo Hernández (accordion, saxophone, acoustic guitar and vocalist), Luis Hernández (acoustic guitar, vocalist). Accompanying on the drums is cousin Oscar Lara. Los Tigres del Norte have recorded more than 55 albums, many of which have gone Gold and Platinum, with a repertoire of over 500 songs. They have appeared in more than 14 films in Mexico and their presentations and concerts have broken attendance records in dance halls, arenas and concert halls across the United States, Mexico, Latin America, Asia and Europe.
HONDA RIDGELINE FOR ONE LUCKY FAN: Also this Sunday, a 2006 Honda Ridgeline will be raffled off to one lucky fan after the game between Chivas USA and the MetroStars. To participate, fans will have until halftime of Chivas USA vs. MetroStars game on October 16, to sign up for the raffle. Fans can sign up at The Home Depot Center's North/East ticket booths where the 2006 Honda Ridgeline will be in display. Fans can also sign up at ChivaTown or through the Chivas USA office's by calling: 1-877-CHIVAS-1.
HONORS FOR RAMÓN, BRAD AND EZRA: Chivas USA players Ramón Ramírez, Brad Guzan and Ezra Hendrickson were honored during a special end-of-season reception for Chivas USA season ticket holders on Saturday night at the Marina del Rey Marriott in Marina del Rey, California. Captain Ramírez claimed two awards on the evening, earning Honda Most Valuable Player honors as well as the Vida Chivas Award on behalf of Pernod Ricard USA as the player who 'most exemplifies the spirit of Chivas'. MLS 2005 Rookie of the Year candidate Brad Guzan took home Defender of the Year honors, while MLS veteran Ezra Hendrickson was named U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year. In attendance were Chivas USA's fans, staff, players and their families, as well as players and coaching staff of Club Deportivo Guadalajara, who signed autographs and mingled with the crowd.
RESERVES TO CLOSE OUT INAUGURAL SEASON: Following Sunday's match, the Chivas USA Reserves (2-8-1, 7 pts.) will play the final match of Major League Soccer's inaugural Reserve Division when they host the MetroStars Reserves (4-2-4, 16 pts.) on Sunday, October 16 at 3:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center's Track and Field Stadium.
CHIVAS SELECT TEAM FALLS TO SANTOS LAGUNA: A Chivas Select team featuring players from sister clubs Chivas USA and Club Deportivo Guadalajara fell 3-2 to Mexican First Division opponent Santos Laguna on Sunday in front of a vibrant crowd at Harder Stadium on the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, on California's Central Coast, in a historic benefit match for victims of the recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region. Santos goals were scored by Matías Vuoso, Jair García and Arturo Chávez, while Chivas USA players Juan Pablo García and Arturo Torres responded with two goals in the final seven minutes.
SEQUEIRA BOOKS TICKET TO GERMANY: Chivas USA defender Douglas Sequeira played the last 32 minutes of Costa Rica's 3-0 victory over the United States which gives the Costa Rican National Team the last direct pass to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The game was played at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in the Costa Rican capital of San José. On Wednesday, Costa Rica, which sits in third place their group with a 5-3-1 record (W-L-T) will visit Guatemala on the final Matchday of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
EXPANSION DERBY, PART V: Chivas USA and fellow expansion team Real Salt Lake have agreed to hold an exhibition match on Friday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. MT) at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City in a promotion dubbed the 'Night of the Dead' ('Noche de los Muertos'). The evening will include a concert, a costume contest and several other Halloween activities. During the 2005 MLS regular season, Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake faced each other on four occasions, with each team winning its two home contests. Chivas USA won 1-0 and 5-1, while RSL side won 2-0 and 2-1.
CHIVAS USA SOCCER ACADEMY: The Chivas USA Soccer Academy continues play this week in preparation for this weekend's slate of games in Baldwin Park, with sessions at The Home Depot Center's Field 7 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. Following are this past weekend's results: Chivas USA 1-0 B.P. Strikers (Peewees), Chivas USA 1-0 Duarte USA (Sixth Div.), Chivas USA 1-7 Cosmos (Fifth Div.), Chivas USA 4-0 Duarte USA (Fourth Div. A), Chivas USA 0-3 B.P. Strikers (Fourth Div.). For more information on the Chivas USA Soccer Academy, please contact Eduardo Creel at ecreel@cdchivasusa.com.
MINI-CHIVAGIRLS: The ChivaGirls are offering a clinic for Mini-ChivaGirls, where young women from 3 to 15 years old will be taught to dance and perform cheering routines. The classes will be held Wednesday and Friday afternoons at The Home Depot Center, with a cost of $50 per month, plus uniform costs. Participants will have a chance to take the field with the ChivaGirls during select Chivas USA home games, and will also be able to dance on the ChivaTown stage during halftime. For more information, please call ChivaGirls Business Director Elsie León at (310) 630 4550 x 3616.
'CHIVAS DE CORAZÓN': This and every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. PT, be sure to tune in to KMXE Radiovisa 830 AM for Chivas USA's weekly Spanish-language radio program, 'Chivas de Corazón', hosted by John Laguna and Mario Valadez. The one-hour program features news, interviews, analysis and fan commentary about Chivas USA and sister team Club Deportivo Guadalajara. To participate in this exciting weekly program, please dial 1-877-883-0830.
CHIVAS USA INJURY REPORT - OCTOBER 10, 2005
PROBABLE: Francisco Gómez (L quad strain), Víctor Arbeláez (L. Abductor strain)
OUT: Héctor Castro (L knee ACL surgery), Thiago Martins (R knee MCL sprain), Brad Guzan (frontal sinus and nasal fracture)
CHIVAS USA SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 10-17
*Subject to change. Unless otherwise noted, all times Pacific and all events scheduled for The Home Depot Center.
Monday, October 10: [Day off]
Tuesday, October 11: Training, 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 12: Training, 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 13: Training, 10:00 a.m.
Friday, October 14: Training, 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, October 15: Training, 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 16: Chivas USA vs. MetroStars (1:00 p.m. PT); Chivas USA Reserves vs. MetroStars Reserves (3:30 p.m. PT, Track and Field Stadium)
Monday, October 17 - Sunday, October 23: [Week off]
