The LA Galaxy today named Armando Rivas the clubs new Head Athletic Trainer. Rivas replaces Ivan Pierra, who had been the Galaxy's head athletic trainer for each of the club's first 12 seasons of play, who was hired by the U.S. National Team to serve as their Head Athletic Trainer.
"We are very happy to welcome Armando and Chris into the Galaxy family and feel that they are the right men to take on these integral positions," Galaxy President and General Manager Alexi Lalas said. "It is also important to recognize the fantastic work over the past 12 years of Ivan Pierra and we wish him the best of luck with the National Team. No person has given more hours of service to this club than Ivan and he leaves behind big shoes to fill."
A native of Yucaipa, Calif., Rivas joined the Galaxy after spending the last seven years in with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization where he worked with a number of their minor league affiliates, including their AAA club, the Salt Lake Bees, in 2006 and 2007.
Rivas graduated from Cal State-Fullerton in 2000 with a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in athletic training and served as a student trainer for the school in 1999. In 2000 he was hired by the Angels as a training intern before being hired a year later at UCLA where he worked with the Men's Soccer and Baseball teams. In 2004, Rivas earned a Master's Degree in Kinesiology with and emphasis on athletic training from Cal Poly Pomona.
Rivas comes to the Galaxy to replace Pierra, who was one of first staff members ever hired by the Galaxy, joining the club on January 10, 1996. Over the next 12 years, Pierra acquired a reputation as one of the best trainers in MLS. In addition to his work with the Galaxy, Pierra, who helped to head the committee placed in charge of finding his replacement, also worked for the U.S. National Team, assisting with their training needs on their many visits to the Southland, as well as accompanying them to the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and 1998.
Joining Rivas as part of the Galaxy's backroom staff is Fitness Coach Chris Neville. A former professional soccer player in England, Neville began a career in athletic fitness and sports massage after being forced to retire because of injury in 1990. Over the past 12 years Neville, 37, has spent time with Barnet F.C., Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth F.C. in his native England, working on the massage and rehabilitation teams at each club. Additionally, Neville has worked extensively with the English Football Association, in a number of different capacities, traveling to the 1998 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, as well as the 2000 European Championships as part of their support staff.
The Galaxy opens their 13th season of play on Saturday, March 29 against the Colorado Rapids at 6:30 p.m. (PT), live on Fox Soccer Channel from Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. LA will play their home opener five days later on Thursday, April 3 when they host former head coach Frank Yallop and the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center.
The 2008 MLS season is just around the corner and the LA Galaxy are now accepting deposits for the 2008 season. A non-refundable deposit secures your place for each 2008 Galaxy regular season game, plus great benefits including exclusive events with the team, special season seat holder gifts, and much more! Call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com for more details or to purchase your 2008 Galaxy season seats.
