CHIVAS USA OPENS PRESEASON TODAY: Chivas USA opened preseason camp today at The Home Depot Center. The team now embarks on an eight-week preseason, where the Red-and-White will participate in training and friendly matches in Southern California and elsewhere. After opening on the road on March 30 at FC Dallas, Chivas USA plays its Home Opener on April 5 at The Home Depot Center when it hosts Real Salt Lake.
RAPHAEL WICKY JOINS CLUB: As Chivas USA opens preseason, one of the new faces on the team is that of Switzerland international midfielder Raphaël Wicky, a World Cup veteran with over decade's professional experience in the first divisions of Germany, Spain and Switzerland, as well as the UEFA Champions League. The 30-year-old Wicky, who has amassed over 70 international appearances for the Swiss National Team, including as a starter at the 2004 European Championships and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, joins Chivas USA as an International Player, effective immediately, pending receipt of his work visa and International Transfer Certificate.
SUEÑO MLS 2008: THE DREAM CONTINUES: Thousands of players have registered for '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. After the huge success of the event in 2007, in which Jorge Flores of Anaheim, Calif., won out over 2000 other young amateurs from across the United States and several foreign countries, the event 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 WITH U.S. NATIONAL TEAM FOR FRIENDLY VS. MEXICO: Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan is one of two goalkeepers on Head Coach Bob Bradley's 22-man roster for the United States National Team's upcoming match against Mexico on Feb. 6 in Houston. Guzan will be searching for his sixth appearance with the United States, and will be competing for playing time with Tim Howard of Everton FC of England for the start.
COPA CHIVAS RECAP: The Chivas USA U-18 Team concluded its participation in the 2008 Copa Chivas, one of the most prestigious youth soccer tournaments in the Western Hemisphere, this past weekend. In its final two group games, Chivas USA beat Caracas FC of Venezuela 1-0 before drawing against Tigres UANL by a score of 2-2. Meanwhile, Chivas USA forward Jorge Flores participated in the same tournament with the U.S. U-20 National Team, playing in all five of the team's matches and wearing the captain's armband in three. For full results and statistics from the Copa Chivas, visit the tournament's official website at www.copachivas.com, or Chivas USA's official website at www.cdchivasusa.com.
KICK-IT AT THE PARK: Chivas USA continues running its 'Kick-it at the Park with Chivas USA' clinics in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles, and the L.A. Parks and Recreation Department, having recently completed a session on January 26, at Ross Snyder Recreation Center on East 41st Street in Los Angeles. The clinics 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 Griffith Park Recreation Center at 3401 Riverside Drive in Los Angeles on February 9. 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 is a strong candidate to receive the 75 percent vote needed from media, coaches, administrators and Hall of Famers that is necessary for acceptance to the Hall of Fame.
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.
