When Chivas de Guadalajara picked up young defender Luis Alvarez from Tigres, it appeared that he would wind up with Chivas USA.
The transfer window came and went, however, and Alvarez did not join Chivas USA. Instead, the club acquired Francisco Palencia, Juan Pablo Garcia, Hector "Pirata" Castro and Sergio "Matute" Garcia and Alvarez was nowhere to be found.
Until this week.
Immigration red tape kept the young defender from traveling to the United States as Alvarez waited in Mexico. Mexican daily El Informador reported that Alvarez received a travel visa this week and immediately left Mexico for Southern California.
Indeed, Alvarez first trained with the club on Tuesday. However, he must wait if he is to join Chivas USA as the current roster freeze prevents the Red-and-White from making any roster changes the remainder of the season. Per league rules, clubs cannot make any changes to its roster from Sept. 15 through the day after MLS Cup.
Alvarez, who turns 24 on Oct. 4, spent the last four seasons with Tigres in the Mexican Primera Division. In his last season with the club -- the Clausura 2005 campaign -- Alvarez started twice and played seven games and logged a total of 316 minutes.
Alvarez would take up a youth international spot. The club currently has six such slots but none open. Currently, the following players occupy those spots: Armando Begines, Hector Cuadros, Juan Pablo Garcia, Sergio "Matute" Garcia, Francisco Mendoza and Isaac Romo.
Alvarez is expected to train with the team for the duration of the season.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
