CARSON, Calif. - When Amado Guevara joined Chivas USA in late November, he was reunited with former coach Bob Bradley and the two looked forward to forging a successful relationship once again.
One week later, though, Bradley left Chivas for the U.S. national team job.
Now, as the one-time MLS Most Valuable Player approaches his first league season outside of New York, Guevara pointed to the club and not the coach as his reasons for heading west.
"I came with the desire to play with Chivas and I am looking forward to playing with this institution," Guevara said.
Under Bradley, Guevara became a star. With the then-MetroStars in 2004, Guevara enjoyed the finest of his four years in MLS. He scored 10 goals and notched 10 assists and walked away with MVP honors.
But Guevara's stellar 2005 campaign (11 goals, 11 assists) was not enough to save Bradley as the coach was sacked late in the season. Following a fall-out with MetroStars management early in the 2006 campaign, Guevara suffered through a difficult early part of the season. He did well to recover and had his strongest month of the season at the right time. Guevara scored a goal in a 1-1 tie with Colorado on Oct. 7 that kept the Red Bulls in playoff contention, then recorded a hat trick in the Bulls' 3-2 win against Kansas City that sent the club to the postseason.
Still, Guevara was dealt away to Chivas USA, who gave up their designated player slot for the Honduran international.
"I feel well. I've worked hard and ... I'm at 100 percent," Guevara said. "I can't be more motivated than I am right now."
Guevara will occupy the midfield spot left vacant by Juan Pablo Garcia, who joined Tigres UANL in the offseason. Like Garcia, Guevara should have freedom to roam around the midfield and not be anchored to the right side.
Still, while Garcia had one good season, Guevara has had four solid years in MLS and could offer an upgrade at the position. Midfield partner Jesse Marsch said Guevara brings some important qualities to the club and coupled with Francisco Mendoza and Sacha Kljestan gives the club a talented and experienced midfield.
"Having Amado is nice because he's a guy who's good on the ball and clever and adds another element in terms of seeing the ball go forward and seeing passing lanes. He's dangerous around the goal too," Marsch said. "We also know from last year when we played with [Garcia] in front of us a little bit. Sacha, [Mendoza] and I have a pretty good understanding of what that's supposed to look like and how we help each other out."
With Chivas USA, Guevara said he does not feel pressure to perform after the club gave up its designated player slot to acquire him.
"Fortunately I came to a team that has players who are at a very good level," Guevara said. "This team will not depend on just one player or two or three. It's going to depend on the entire roster, with everyone aware of the responsibility each person carries."
Despite the presence of goal-scoring star Ante Razov and last year's MLS Rookie of the Year, Jonathan Bornstein, Guevara said the club will succeed because of their strong collective efforts.
"Superstars? You won't just see that here. You're going to see a team that works well for each other, and that's a good thing," Guevara said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
