CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA added five players to its squad today via the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft: defender Desmond Brooks (Saint Mary's College), midfielders Erasmo Solórzano (U.C. Riverside) and Raul Bautista (San Diego State University) and forwards Anthony Hamilton (U.C. Irvine) and Lyle Martin (Cal State University Bakersfield). All five players are expected to join Chivas USA when the club opens preseaon camp in less than three weeks, on Monday, February 5 at The Home Depot Center.
"Our work paid off," said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki. "We have been tracking all of these players for some time, and several of them participated in a combine we held at The Home Depot Center in December. I'm pleased with all five picks, and we look forward to their contributions to Chivas USA as we prepare for our season opener on April 7."
With its first pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft (1st round, 2nd overall), Chivas USA selected defender Desmond Brooks from Saint Mary's College of Moraga, California. A tall central defender, Brooks played in 72 games (60 starts) during four seasons at Saint Mary's. Brooks lettered in track and soccer at Bullard High School in Fresno, California, where he amassed 25 goals and 20 assists in his high school career, while leading his club team to California State Cup championships in 2000 and 2001. Born November 27, 1985 in San Francisco, California, Brooks was a participant in Chivas USA's recent player combine, held in December 2006 at The Home Depot Center.
With its second pick (2nd round, 20th overall), Chivas USA selected midfielder Erasmo Solórzano from the University of California, Riverside. A defensive midfieler, Solórzano played in 62 games during three seasons at U.C. Riverside, notching 4 goals. Born in Los Fresnos, Michoacán, Mexico, Solórzano emigrated to the United States in 1993 and played in unaffiliated leagues in Southern California before joining U.C. Riverside and, later, PDL side Los Angeles Storm. Nicknamed 'Memo', Solórzano is a U.S. greencard holder and particpated in Chivas USA's player combine in December 2006 at The Home Depot Center.
With its third pick (2nd round, 24th overall), Chivas USA selected midfielder Raul Bautista from San Diego State University. A defensive midfielder who can also play in central defense, Bautista played in 70 games during four seasons at San Diego State. Born January 14, 1984 in Hayward, California, to parents Raul Sr. (a native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico) and María (a native of Mexicali, Baja California Norte, Mexico), Bautista majored in criminal justice at San Diego State. He was a participant in Chivas USA's recent player combine, held in December 2006 at The Home Depot Center.
With its fourth pick (3rd round, 31st overall), Chivas USA selected forward Anthony Hamilton from the University of California, Irvine. Born in Redlands and raised in Grand Terrace, Hamilton played in 70 games during four seasons at U.C. Irvine, amassing 23 goals and 7 assists.
With its fifth pick (3rd round, 31st overall), Chivas USA selected forward Lyle Martin Jr. from California State University, Bakersfield. A native of Bakersfield and player for PDL side Bakersfield Brigade, Martin played in 77 games during four seasons at Cal State Bakersfield, amassing 29 goals.
Chivas USA, Major League Soccer's Mexican-owned, Los Angeles-based franchise - sister team to the famed Chivas de Guadalajara - kicks off its third campaign in MLS on Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California versus Canadian expansion franchise Toronto FC. Tickets are available by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or online via www.cdchivasusa.com.
