CHIVAS USA PRESEASON UPDATE:
Chivas USA is now one full week into its preseason, and already the team has captured its first victory. In a closed-door scrimmage against UCLA on Saturday, Chivas USA came out with a 2-0 win. Goals from preseason camp invitee Justin Braun and MLS Original Ante Razov were enough to overcome the 2006 NCAA Finalist and perennial Division I title contenders. Coming up this week for the Red-and-White are a pair of scrimmages, starting on Tuesday with a match-up against the New York Red Bulls, which will take place at the Track & Field Stadium at 10:00 a.m. PT. On Saturday, Feb. 16, the Japanese Under-23 National Team, in preparations for the upcoming Olympics, will take on Chivas USA in the stadium at The Home Depot Center.
CHIVAS USA 2008 :: SCHEDULE OF PRESEASON GAMES
DAY DATE EVENT TIME/LOCATION
Sat Feb 9 vs. UCLA W, 2-0
Tue Feb 12 vs. New York Red Bulls 10:00 a.m.
Sat Feb 16 vs. Japanese U-23 National Team 2:00 p.m.
Mon Feb 18 vs. D.C. United 12:00 p.m.
Wed Feb 20 vs. UC Riverside 10:00 a.m.
Sat Feb 23 vs. Columbus @ Santa Clarita, CA 5:00 p.m.
Sat Mar 1 vs. Fresno Fuego TBD
Wed Mar 5 vs. D.C. United @ San Antonio 8:30 p.m. (CT)
Fri Mar 7 vs. Houston Dynamo @ San Antonio 8:30 p.m. (CT)
Sun Mar 9 vs. Toronto FC @ San Antonio 3:00 p.m. (CT)
Sat Mar 15 vs. San Diego State 10:00 a.m.
Wed Mar 19 vs. Cal State Fullerton 10:00 a.m.
SUN MAR 30 @ FC Dallas (OPENING DAY) 12:00 p.m.
SAT APR 5 vs. Real Salt Lake (HOME OPENER) 7:30 p.m.
* Subject to change. Unless otherwise indicated, all times Pacific and all games at The Home Depot Center. For the latest information, please contact Chivas USA Communications.
SUEÑO MLS 2008: THE DREAM CONTINUES: This Friday marks the start of this year's edition of 'Sueño MLS 2008: The Dream Continues,' the nationally-televised search to discover America's best undiscovered young soccer players, which will be followed weekly by Univision's popular sports show, República Deportiva. Thousands of players have already registered for the event, and after the huge success of 2007, in which Jorge Flores of Anaheim, Calif., won out over 2000 other young amateurs from across the United States and several foreign countries, Sueño returns this year not only to Los Angeles but also to Dallas, where 2000 more hopefuls will participate. The first rounds of tryouts take place the weekend of Feb. 15 in Bell Gardens, Calif., with the coaching staff inviting 60 players back for a second tryout on March 1. After the round of 60, "The Final 18" of each team will be selected and subsequently compete on March 8-9 and March 15 for a chance to train with the respective MLS team, and possibly earn a roster spot. For more information on Sueño MLS please visit www.SuenoMLS.com.
GUZAN, HARRIS AND CURTIN RETURN TO TRAINING: Three of Chivas USA's players returned to training on Monday after missing the first week of preseason. Brad Guzan joined the team after coming back from a stint with the United States Men's National Team, which drew 2-2 against Mexico last Wednesday. Atiba Harris, new this year to the Red-and-White, also returned from international duty, as he played the full 90 minutes for St. Kitts and Nevis as they lost 3-1 to Belize. Jim Curtin, another new member of Chivas USA, trained for the first time the Red-and-White after his wife, Jen, gave birth to the pair's first child, a daughter, last week.
MICHAEL HOEFFLIN BENEFIT MATCH: As part of its preseason plans for 2008, Chivas USA will travel to the Santa Clarita Valley on Saturday, Feb. 23 to play the Columbus Crew in a match benefiting the Michael Hoefflin Foundation. All proceeds from the game will go to the non-profit Foundation, which provides financial and emotional support to children and their families facing childhood cancer in the Santa Clarita and surrounding area. The match, which will be played in Cougar Stadium at the College of the Canyons in Valencia, starts at 5:00 p.m. For more information about the match, the Michael Hoefflin Foundation, or to purchase tickets, contact the Foundation at 661-250-4100 or visit their website at www.mhf.org.
KICK-IT AT THE PARK: 'Kick-it at the Park LA with Chivas USA' continued this past week with another successful clinic held at Griffith Park Recreation Center at 3401 Riverside Drive in Los Angeles on February 9. The clinics, run in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles, and the L.A. Parks and Recreation Department, emphasize physical fitness, sports, and education for as many as 400 children at each of 40 locations throughout the year, and a 5 dollar fee gets participants 90 minutes of instruction, a voucher for a free ticket to a Chivas USA game, a t-shirt, soccer ball, and Certificate of Completion. The next clinic to be held will take place at Whitsett Fields Park, 12240 Archwood Street in North Hollywood on February 23. For more information on the program, or to register for a clinic, visit www.kickitatthepark.com.
PREKI ELIGIBLE FOR HALL OF FAME: The National Soccer Hall of Fame released to voters its 2008 Players Ballot earlier this month, and Chivas USA Head Coach and 2007 MLS Coach of the Year Preki is now eligible for election for the first time. The National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum included on the ballot a number of former stars from Major League Soccer and the United States national team. With two MLS MVP awards, 79 goals and 112 assists in a stellar 10-year MLS career, and 28 games with the United States National Team, Preki will need to receive 75 percent of the vote from media, coaches, administrators and Hall of Famers in order to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
2008 OLYMPIC QUALIFYING GAME PACK: Chivas USA invites fans to experience international soccer with a special ticket deal that includes CONCACAF qualifying games. Fans can choose one from three Olympic qualifier doubleheaders and receive a ticket to the Red-and-White's home opener, on April 5 against Real Salt Lake. Ticket deals start as low as $33, and more information may be found by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or by visiting www.cdchivasusa.com.
GET CHIVAS USA'S FIVE BEST GAMES IN '08 FOR JUST $50: Fans looking to see Chivas USA in 2008 have an opportunity to watch the five biggest games of the season with the 5-Game Plan, with packages starting at just $50. The five matches included in the set are the opening match of the season on April 5 against Real Salt Lake, and games against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Chicago Fire, the San Jose Earthquakes, Closing Day, which doubles as Fan Appreciation night. For more information please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit www.cdchivasusa.com.
CHIVAS USA PRESEASON SCHEDULE: FEBRUARY 12-18*
Following is Chivas USA's latest schedule of travel, events, matches and practice sessions:
Tuesday, Feb. 12: Scrimmage vs. New York Red Bulls, 10:00 a.m. PT, Track and Field Stadium
Wednesday, Feb. 13: Training, 10:00 a.m. PT, Field 6
Thursday, Feb. 14: Training, 10:00 a.m. PT, Field 6
Friday, Feb. 15: Training, 10:00 a.m. PT, Field 6
Saturday, Feb. 16: Scrimmage vs. Japan U-23 National Team, 2:00 p.m. PT, Main Stadium
Sunday, Feb. 17: Day off
Monday, Feb. 18: Training, 10:00 a.m. PT, Field 6
*Subject to change. Unless otherwise noted, all times Pacific, all events scheduled for The Home Depot Center, with media access provided after games and training sessions. For latest information, please contact Chivas USA's Communications Department.
