CARSON, Calif. - Having secured its first playoff berth in franchise history, Chivas USA (10-9-12, 42 pts) closes out the 2006 Major League Soccer season with a bragging-rights match against fellow 2005 expansion team Real Salt Lake (10-13-8, 38 pts) at The Home Depot Center this Sunday, October 15 at 4:00 p.m. PT (TV: FSN WEST, Fox Soccer Channel; Radio: KTNQ 1020 AM Univision Radio; Web: MLSLIVE.tv). With a victory, Chivas USA could finish as high as second in MLS's Western Conference, while RSL is still fighting for a playoff spot. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a lovely Chivas USA fleece blanket courtesy of HSBC Credit Center. Tickets are available by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or via www.cdchivasusa.com.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Chivas USA, currently third in the Western Conference, enters Sunday's game having already qualified for the 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Red-and-White (42 pts) can claim second in the West if: (a) the Colorado Rapids (40 pts) win at the Houston Dynamo (45 pts) on Saturday, and (b) Chivas USA defeats Real Salt Lake (38 pts) on Sunday. In this scenario, Chivas USA and the Dynamo would finish even on points (45), but Chivas USA would edge out the Dynamo on goal differential. Real Salt Lake hopes for the opposite result: it can only qualify for the playoffs if Houston defeats Colorado on Saturday, followed by an RSL win on Sunday. Should Chivas USA finish third or fourth, it would open its two-game playoff series at The Home Depot Center vs. Houston or West-leading FC Dallas (52 pts) on Sunday, October 22 at 1:00 p.m. PT on ESPN2.
PLAYOFF TICKETS!: In celebration of Chivas USA's historic first playoff match, the first 1,000 Chivas fans who arrive at The Home Depot Center Box Office wearing their Chivas USA or Chivas Guadalajara jersey will receive $5 off all playoff ticket categories - for a starting price of just $9! The Home Depot Center Box Office is located at 18400 Avalon Boulevard, Carson, California 90746; hours are Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT. This offer is only good until Friday, October 20. Tickets for Chivas USA's first playoff match are also available through Ticketmaster and all ChivaTienda outlets, as well as 1-877-CHIVAS-1 and www.cdchivasusa.com. This match is Bonus Game 'B' for season ticket holders and media parking passes.
CHIVAS USA RESERVES: The Chivas USA Reserves (4-4-3, 15 pts) close their 2006 Major League Soccer Reserve Division campaign today with a make-up match vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy Reserves at 10:00 a.m. PT at The Home Depot Center's University Field 2. Last Sunday, the Chivas USA Reserves claimed a 1-0 win in Missouri over the Kansas City Wizards Reserves, on an 86th-minute goal by Brent Whitfield. The Colorado Rapids Reserves have already secured the second Reserve Division title, succeeding inaugural-year champs D.C. United. For more information on the MLS Reserve Division, please visit: http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/reserve/.
TEAM AWARDS VOTING: This weekend, media will have the chance to vote for their favorite Chivas USA players for the following team award categories: Honda MVP, Defender of the Year, and the 'Chivas Regal Award', for the player who represents the essence of Chivas. Ballots will be distributed in The Home Depot Center press box during Sunday's game vs. Real Salt Lake.
MEDIA GAME FRIDAY: Media members are cordially invited to participate in Chivas USA's annual Media Game this Friday, October 13 at The Home Depot Center. Team Rojo will face off against Team Blanco at 12:00 noon on the University Field, immediately following Chivas USA's 10:00 a.m. practice. The event is open to all members of the media, women and men, regardless of age, skill, or complete lack thereof. Friends and colleagues are also welcome.
PASSBACK DAY: Fans are encouraged to bring their new and gently used soccer gear to The Home Depot Center this weekend as part of Chivas USA's annual collection through the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Passback Program. The individual or organization that donates the most equipment - shoes, cleats, shorts, socks, shinguards, or any other available gear - will receive a $200 Gift Certificate to Eurosport. For more information, contact Alicia Mendoza, Chivas USA Senior Manager of Community Affairs, at (310) 630-4569.
9/11 HEROES CUP: This weekend, from October 13-15, Chivas USA is organizing the '9/11 Heroes Cup', a unique soccer tournament for public safety officials at The Home Depot Center. Participating teams include the fire, police, and sheriffs' departments of Los Angeles City and County and other Southland municipalities, as well as Chivas USA's own Legión 1908 fan club. Participants will be recognized at Sunday's Chivas USA vs. Real Salt Lake game. For more information, please contact Chivas USA sales executive Alex Sroka at (310) 630 4558, x 4558.
LLAMOSA, BORJA AND PALENCIA: Chivas USA defender Carlos Llamosa was diagnosed with a tear of two adductor muscles in his left leg after undergoing an MRI exam Friday in Santa Monica, California. Llamosa, who was injured in Chivas USA's game against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sept. 30, is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks. Also out is defender Carlos Borja, who on Monday was diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCL tear in his right knee; he will be out at least six weeks. In other news, forward Juan Francisco Palencia, who remains out with a right knee MCL sprain, returned to soccer activity on Tuesday, participating in light passing and agility drills during Chivas USA's morning training session.
INJURIES, PART II: Four other Chivas USA players are listed as 'out' for Sunday's match: World Cup veterans John O'Brien (R patella tendonitis) and Ramón Ramírez (season-ending L knee surgery for an MCL sprain), as well as developmental players Mike Muñoz (season-ending R ankle surgery) and Estuardo Sánchez (L foot surgery). Midfielder Johnnie García (L ankle sprain) is listed as questionable, while forwards Ante Razov (R adductor strain) and Drew Helm (R shoulder separation), and midfielder Juan Pablo García (L adductor strain), are listed as probable.
CHIVAGIRLS 2007 CALENDAR: The ChivaGirls Calendar, back and hotter than ever in 2007, is now available for purchase online at ChivaGirls.com, for a special price of just $13.50! This seductive 14-month calendar, shot in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico, by photographer Mike Nowak, features all 14 members of Chivas USA's popular female ambassador squad. The ChivaGirls 2007 Calendar makes for a great Christmas or New Year's gift. Buy yours today at ChivaGirls.com!
GUADALAJARA UPDATE: Club Deportivo Guadalajara, Chivas USA's parent club, fell 3-2 to Morelia last Saturday at the Estadio Morelos in Mexican league action. Guadalajara (4-4-4, 16 pts) is currently fourth in six-team Group 1 of the Mexican Apertura 2006 season; the top two teams from all three groups, and two 'wild-card' teams, qualify for the Mexican playoffs. This Saturday, Guadalajara hosts San Luis at the Estadio Jalisco at 5:00 p.m. PT (7:00 p.m. local time) on Matchday 13 (of 17).
'SANGRE CHIVA': Be sure to tune in, this and every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. PT, to 'Sangre Chiva', Chivas USA's weekly radio show on KTNQ 1020 AM Univision Radio. Hosted by veteran broadcaster Hipólito Gamboa and former Chivas USA and Chivas Guadalajara goalkeeper Martín Zúñiga, the hour-long program features exclusive interviews, match analysis and special ticket offers, plus all the latest Chivas USA news and happenings.
'SOMOS CHIVAS USA': Don't miss, this and every Saturday from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. PT, 'Somos Chivas USA', Chivas USA's official weekly program on KAZA Azteca 54, official Spanish-language television broadcast partner of Chivas USA. Recorded each week at The Home Depot Center, this exciting 30-minute show gives fans an exclusive insider's look at the world of Chivas USA.
CHIVAS USA SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 11-15*
Following is Chivas USA's schedule of travel, matches and practice sessions:
Wednesday, October 11: 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 (TV: FSN WEST, Fox Soccer Channel; Radio: KTNQ 1020 AM Univision Radio; Web: MLSLIVE.tv) - First 10,000 fans receive a free Chivas USA fleece blanket courtesy 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.
