CARSON, Calif. - With one game remaining in the 2006 Major League Soccer regular season, Chivas USA has clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in team history. Chivas USA will learn its playoff dates and opponent after closing the 2006 MLS regular season next Sunday, October 15, when it hosts fellow 2005 expansion team Real Salt Lake at 4:00 p.m. PT The Home Depot Center.
Tickets for Sunday's home closer, where the first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Chivas USA fleece blanket courtesty of HSBC Credit Center, are available via www.cdchivasusa.com or by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1.
Chivas USA's two-game Western Conference semifinal series kicks off on the weekend of October 21/22, with the second leg to be played on October 28/29 at the home of the higher-seeded team. The single-game Western Conference semifinal will be take place on November 4/5 at the home of higher-seeded team.
Chivas USA (42 pts) joins FC Dallas (51 pts) and the Houston Dynamo (45 pts) as the three Western Conference teams to have qualified so far; the Colorado Rapids (40 pts) and Real Salt Lake (38 pts) are vying for the West's fourth and final spot.
By qualifying for the playoffs, Chivas USA has made a remarkable turnaround under Head Coach Bob Bradley. Last year, as an expansion franchise, Chivas USA compiled a record of 4-22-6 (18 pts); this year, with just one game remaining, Chivas USA's record is 10-9-12 (42 pts). Bradley's teams have now qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in all nine years of his career as a head coach in Major League Soccer.
Chivas USA's first-team players will return to Los Angeles tomorrow Sunday on Southwest flight # 1565, arriving at LAX at 12:30 p.m. PT. For media information, please contact Rigo Cervantez of Chivas USA Communications at (310) 270-6394.
CHIVAS USA SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 8-15*
Following is Chivas USA's schedule of travel, matches and practice sessions:
Sunday, October 8: Kansas City Wizards Reserves vs. Chivas USA Reserves, 8:00 a.m. PT (10:00 a.m. CT); Chivas USA starters arrive LAX @ 12:30 p.m. PT (Southwest # 1565 from Kansas City)
Monday, October 9: [Day off]
Tuesday, October 10: Training, 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 11: Training, 10:00 a.m.; Chivas USA Reserves vs. Los Angeles Galaxy Reserves, 10:00 a.m., University Field 2
Thursday, October 12: Training, 10:00 a.m.
Friday, October 13: Training, 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, October 14: Training, 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 15: Chivas USA vs. Real Salt Lake, The Home Depot Center, 4:00 p.m. PT (First 10,000 fans receive a free Chivas USA fleece blanket courtesty of HSBC Credit Center)
*Subject to change. Unless otherwise noted, all times Pacific and all events scheduled for The Home Depot Center. Media access provided after games and trainings.
